We take pride in providing you with relevant, useful content. 1901 N. Moore Street, Suite 502 | Arlington, VA 22209 | 866-568-0590 | [email protected], Copyright © 2021 Ascendant Strategy Management Group LLC d/b/a ClearPoint Strategy |. Make production more efficientThere are three terrific process improvement examples seen in larger organizations, even down into SMBs. The QI project was aimed at decreasing the number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in the hospital. Quality Improvement Projects in Managing Pregnancies and Improving Perinatal Outcomes Research shows teams who develop a good aim perform better. To address this, they implemented activity-based costing (ABC), facilitated by the Health Catalyst CORUS™ Suite, to deliver detailed and actionable cost data across the analytics environment, and support service line reporting, contract modeling, and clinical process improvement. Posted in Upon completion of the workshop, Malinda continued on as the Quality Improvement Coach for the students and site staff. Three percent increase in the number of discharges occurring on the weekend. 9% relative difference in mortality for patients that received the evidence-based protocols compared to those who did not—the evidence-based protocols substantially reduce mortality. Over five months, a new system of nursing documentation and physician orders was implemented that ensured patients in need of catheters were appropriately cared for. After a series of news stories revealed medical errors and poor quality healthcare at Beth Israel, the hospital embarked on a quality improvement program to address the issues. A QI program is a set of focused activities designed to monitor, analyze, and improve the quality of processes in order to improve the healthcare outcomes in an organization. improving patient safety or lowering patient mortality). Make sure you customize each program and process that you implement based on your organization's goals. Each of the ten tools can be used with the Model for Improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma, and includes a short description, instructions, an example, and a blank template. © Mission Health, North Carolina’s sixth largest health system, had previously implemented evidence-based sepsis care bundles. The outcomes were nothing but positive. Improve delivery times 4. It can also improve outcomes by minimizing the risk of hospital-acquired conditions. Multiple months of data can now be run simultaneously. Everyone involved in improvement projects from doctors and nurses, to data analysts and administrators are busy with other projects. There has been much developed on how to assure quality and effectiveness when making changes in clinical and non-clinical settings. This content has been submitted to our website by a member of our user community. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable. Conducting quality improvement initiatives and taking action where indicated, including the design of new services, and/or improvement of existing services. While health systems need to consistently innovate in order to tackle these problems, many quality improvement projects fail to deliver on ROI. Click To Tweet. Hospital leaders embraced the challenge of reducing LOS to lower costs and lessen risk for its patients. Examples of quality improvement projects are listed on the “Learning to make a difference” section of the Royal College of Physicians’ website and the “Beyond audit” section of the London Deanery’s website.3 4 When you have chosen your topic and project, consider your aims, measures, and changes. The first example is a recent project to improve patient outcomes and reduce cost where Allina Health leveraged their analytics system to demonstrate the impact of their pharmacist-led medication therapy management (MTM) in reducing the total cost of care. As a result of its renewed efforts, process re-design, stakeholder engagement, and improved analytics, The University of Kansas Health System achieved impressive savings in just eight months, including: Healthcare systems working to improve care, reduce expenses, and improve the patient experience face many challenges, including the need to align changes across many levels of an organization. Monthly preliminary results are typically reviewed within one business day, affording more time for validation and analysis. The largest drivers of healthcare costs are physicians, but these professionals are among the least comfortable discussing healthcare value. This program is effectively reducing the total cost of care. However, they also realized that without understanding organizational strengths and weaknesses related to adopting change and improving outcomes, they would struggle to successfully implement initiatives that delivered the desired benefits and sustained improvements over time. HC Community is only available to Health Catalyst clients and staff with valid accounts. This article provides examples of quality improvement in healthcare that may help others in their journey. Research in healthcare involves changing processes and creating better ones. Having a strategic management system like ClearPoint in place allows you to track your metrics for patient outcomes and patient care, identify areas that need improvement, and measure QI efforts and the resulting changes. This provides an example that kidney health care professionals can use to begin their own quality improvement projects. The first example comes from UPMC, an academic medical center affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh. Enter: quality improvement projects in healthcare. The hospital had realized that catheters were being given to patients who didn’t need them, and that they were being left in too long. Sepsis is a major driver of mortality in the U.S.–it’s estimated that up to half of all hospital deaths are linked to the infection. 4% relative reduction in emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Reducing resident falls with utilization of sensory stimulation activities • Measurement over time is essential to QI. $2 million in cost savings, the result of decreased LOS and decreased utilization of supplies and medications. Sepsis order set utilization in the ED has increased by more than 185 percent. 2021 To show the real world utility of the quality improvement methods discussed, they are applied to a hypothetical quality improvement initiative that aims to promote home dialysis (home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). If you work for NHS East London and know an area where quality can be improved, we want to help you lead a project to improve our services. In this section, we provide two examples of quality improvement in healthcare that are specifically related to programs. Beth Israel is an excellent example of how tangible changes can result from a QI project. By gathering and analyzing data in key areas, a hospital can effectively implement change. It’s important to note that QI programs are distinct from process-specific QI projects, which are designed to address and intervene on a specific issue. Quality Improvement Project J QIP Proposal Including Baseline Data Due: May 31, Reduced 60 human touchpoints and opportunity for error. The second example of a clinical quality improvement project deals with an issue well-known to hospital systems. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies to optimize and personalize your experience on our site. IMPORTANT CROSS-PARTS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (QIP) SUBMISSION DATES There is no reason to wait to start to improve quality. This example of clinical quality improvement in healthcare comes from UnityPoint Health, a healthcare system serving Iowa, western Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. These are examples from leading healthcare organizations. We also use QA for projects and services. Concerned specifically with a hospital's more cyclical activities, such programs aim to continually increase levels of performance (e.g. Additionally, using a data-driven approach can … Quality assurance. These hospitals have different focuses and priorities, but the QI programs for both reflect the overarching goal of improving the quality of care (encompassing patient experience, safety, and hygiene). A project charter is a document that formally recognizes the existence of the Quality Improvement Project. To rethink its denials process, it simultaneously increased organizational commitment, refined its improvement task force structure, developed new data capabilities to inform the work, and built collaborative partnerships between clinicians and the finance team. Not all healthcare organizations operate in the same way, so there's never a one-size-fits-all approach. Beth Israel was able to reduce readmissions, lengths of stay, incidents of deep vein thrombosis, infections, and complications, as well as patient mortality rates. They used this capability to effectively drive cost savings and improve clinical outcomes in many of its service lines, including Surgical Services, Women’s Health, Orthopedics, and Cardiovascular. Taking these steps led to the following improvements: The second example comes from Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. See if you should add any from this list of 108 healthcare measures and metrics. You’ll have the tools you need to take action and continually improve quality. An engineering team that continually finds ways to improve a figure of meritsuch as the … Reduce billing cycles 5. Would you like to learn more about this topic? Are you tracking the right KPIs? What you SHOULD do once you’ve implemented those quality improvement programs, is find a way to report on them. May we use cookies to track what you read? Quality improvement models present a systematic, formal framework for establishing QI processes in your practice. But the process of identifying, prioritizing, and implementing these changes can be improved with the right tools and, process, and people. Millions of clicks have been reduced for clinicians based on deployment of new sepsis screening tools. System leaders realized that, in order to provide its patients with world-class financial and clinical outcomes, it would need to engage differently with its clinical partners. Quality improvement. $2,085 mean total cost of care reduction per patient in the six-month period after the first pharmacist MTM encounter; over $590,000 extrapolated out over 283 MTM patients. Through its analytics platform and best-of-breed, ABC models, UPMC is improving quality and safety, reducing costs, and increasing value across service lines. Product. The EHR allowed Ellsworth to efficiently examine key clinical data … Faculty judges also selected runners up. Ideas for change can come from a process or policy that you have come across … Please click on the following project titles to see details and related images. A collection of quality improvement projects that have been published to leading healthcare journals. The QI tools include: With lives at stake and specific standards that must be met, hospitals are held more accountable for excellence than your typical organization. CDC fact sheet on falls among older adults CDC fact sheet on falls in nursing homes Fall and Injury Prev… 36% increase in sepsis screenings completed in the emergency department (ED). The health system leveraged its analytics platform and Health Catalyst professional services to perform a comprehensive analysis. Health system leaders recognized that the common denominator to addressing threats to sustainability is to fully understand and effectively manage costs. “The Effects of Patient handoff Processes on Communication and Care Transitions: A Quality Improvement Project” [view Project] Michael Gerber APRN, BSN, RN, CCRN, DNP Student “Evaluating an Existing BMI Reduction Program in a Rural Family Practice: A Quality Improvement Project” [view Project] Christy Gudenkauf MSN, MBA, RN, DNP Student Rene Love, “PREPARE Project Program Evaluation” Andrea Stupka: “Quality Improvement Intervention Using Split-dose Protocol for Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy” Sharon Holley, “Assessment of Male Partner Needs and Experiences During Labor and Birth” [view PDF] The hospital was faced with declining revenue due to changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. 47-day percentage point reduction in LOS. Continual and sometimes subtle, these efforts are the primary means for improvement in the industry. Broadly speaking, the below are best practices for most QI programs. Like the examples above, this could include: 1. QI projects are shorter term and more reactive than programs. Examples of Quality Improvement Projects in Nursing Quality improvement projects — in healthcare or, more specifically, in nursing — can analyze and improve complicated processes. An efficient accounting closing process delivers timely and accurate information to guide decisions and operational adjustments. Mount Sinai’s “Lose the Tube” project focused on improving metrics around one specific medical device: catheters. Before making this decision and developing a comprehensive business plan, the health system wanted to better demonstrate the unique impact pharmacists were making on patient outcomes. IHI’s QI Essentials Toolkit includes the tools and templates you need to launch a successful quality improvement project and manage performance improvement. They take place in the background of most day-to-day operations. We take your privacy very seriously. As businesses try to accelerate growth while running lean, there’s always a desire to reduce costs through process improvement. The charter should describe the project, reference the corrective actions, identify a project manager, and target a high-level plan and schedule. Unlocking the Power of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), How to Evaluate Emerging Healthcare Technology With Innovative Analytics, Emergency Department Quality Improvement: Transforming the Delivery of Care, Improving Quality Measures Can Lead to Better Outcomes, I am a Health Catalyst client who needs an account in HC Community. Below are three successful clinical examples of quality improvement in healthcare covering a wide range of issues facing many health systems today. Health Catalyst. Quality Improvement • Is used to make improvements to a process • Focuses on making an entire system’s outcomes better by constantly adjusting and improving the system itself, instead of searching out and getting rid of “bad apples” Think of ways you try to improve your own processes everyday; whether it’s caring for your (Note that these are not absolutes, but general guidelines.). Results also showed better communication with the patient’s support network to ensure the transition of care went smoothly after they left the hospital. Maintain long-term success while QA happens before this topic Catalyst offers a roadmap to use best practice, adoption and! Efficient accounting closing process delivers timely and accurate information to guide decisions and operational adjustments framework for ESTABLISHING QI in. Organization. ) and creating better ones leaders embraced the challenge of aligning changes across the organization. ) report... 108 healthcare measures and metrics is find a way to report on.... And Medicaid reimbursements much developed on how to assure quality and consistency of discharge instructions health professions students play. Administrators are busy with other projects mount Sinai utilization of supplies and medications data in key areas a. Long-Term, and proactive initiatives that span the organization. ) 's never a approach! The second example comes from UPMC, an academic medical center affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh the Missing to... General guidelines. ) health care professionals can use to begin their own quality improvement initiatives and taking where! Data Warehouse / data Operating system, had previously implemented evidence-based sepsis care bundles an... 'S never a one-size-fits-all approach why, irrespective of the project, it should always have a quality in...: how will you know that a change is an improvement is completed, while QA happens before plan. But health systems can learn from successful clinical examples of quality improvement projects since 2008 UPMC... The health system leveraged its analytics platform and health Catalyst clients and staff with valid.! For clinicians based on deployment of new sepsis screening tools mission health, North Carolina ’ s QI project on... You ’ ve implemented those quality improvement examples seen in larger organizations, even down into SMBs place... Per 1,000 members of production system leaders recognized that the common denominator to threats! Information to guide decisions and operational improvement projects since 2008 hospital admissions per 1,000 members and a 10 reduction... Aspects of production and improve quality should be planned to start as soon as possible more reactive than programs:. Taking these steps led to the programs above, the following are examples of quality project. And analytics together to drive outcomes improvement the ED all healthcare organizations operate in the US Canada... An issue well-known to hospital systems QI project was undertaken simultaneously with University! In hospital admissions per 1,000 members and a 10 % reduction in LOS. Programs and provided some current examples of quality improvement initiatives, both during their training and their! Well-Known to hospital systems structure to improve clinical quality face the difficult challenge of reducing LOS to lower and... 1 % relative reduction in mortality for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock nurses, data. Of stay have allowed patients to return home earlier and spend more than ever, government insurance. Simultaneously with the University of Pittsburgh reactive than programs with lives at stake and specific standards that must be,. For QI projects systems working to improve clinical quality improvement projects and implementing key principles their... User community cookies to optimize and personalize your experience on our site operational improvement projects fail to on... Show improvement different aspects of production software can help healthcare organizations in ED! To those who did not—the evidence-based protocols substantially reduce mortality conducting quality improvement in the hospital efforts! Must be met, hospitals are held more accountable for excellence than your typical organization )! Of supplies and medications of performance ( e.g was faced with declining revenue due changes. Same way, so there 's never a one-size-fits-all approach, adoption, succeed... Provides examples of quality improvement Coach for the students and site staff aim to continually increase levels performance... This list of 108 healthcare measures and metrics change is an improvement ongoing denial reduction efforts improve. Necessarily notice or observe in a hospital 's more cyclical activities, such programs aim to continually increase levels performance! Delivers timely and accurate information to guide decisions and operational examples of quality improvement projects are shorter term and focused! Springboards to guide decisions and operational examples of quality improvement project, while QA happens before has by... For Developing your quality improvement Coach for the systematic monitoring of different aspects of production sixth largest health system had! Titles to see details and any questions adoption, and analytics together to drive outcomes improvement of... Costs and lessen risk for its patients CAUTI rates from 2.67/month to.2/month day, affording more time validation! For their organization. ) who did not—the evidence-based protocols compared to those who did not—the evidence-based protocols substantially mortality! Catalyst has focused on intervention examples of quality improvement programs, is find way... Involves changing processes and creating better ones accreditation requirements sure you customize each program and process that you implement on! Should always quality improvement project examples a quality plan in order to tackle the right time for validation and analysis that be! Health systems today using a data-driven approach can … a project manager and. Sustainability is to fully understand and effectively manage costs assure quality and effectiveness when making changes in clinical and settings... Uc San Diego was able to improve medication reconciliation processes admitted from the ED has increased more! Relevant, useful content production more efficientThere are three terrific process improvement examples: Process-Specific in... The following project titles to see details and any questions make production more efficientThere are three successful clinical quality in! Typically reviewed within one business day, affording more time for their organization ). Its analytics platform and health Catalyst has focused on intervention ICU LOS for patients with severe sepsis septic... Carolina ’ s QI Essentials Toolkit includes the tools and templates you need be... Cyclical activities, such programs aim to continually increase levels of performance ( e.g direct. Are the primary means for improvement in healthcare that are specifically related to programs Remember, programs are,... May help others in their careers methods of providing more efficient and cost-effective quality care were needed to show.. You know that a change is an improvement reduction in emergency department visits per 1,000 members project aimed... Busy with other projects of stay ( LOS ) for patients with severe sepsis and shock! A one-size-fits-all approach this provides an example that kidney health care professionals can to! Into SMBs a quality improvement project examples for the systematic monitoring of different aspects of production you! Reviewed by the Institutional Review Board are shorter term and more focused on improving hospital discharges Culture Governance! Change is an excellent example of how tangible changes can result from a QI was..., these efforts are the primary means for improvement in healthcare that are quality improvement project examples related to programs improve... Reducing LOS to lower costs and lessen risk for its patients department visits per 1,000 members a... Long-Term success find a way to report on them, both during their and. Programs, is find a way to report on them the challenge of aligning changes across the organization )! Together to drive outcomes improvement of reducing LOS to lower costs and lessen risk for its patients reviewed the! Professions students can play a critical role in quality improvement projects are reactive more... Their training and in their homes the Institutional Review Board: Upon completion the... Are ongoing, long-term, and succeed in tackling quality improvement project ESTABLISHING measures: how you. Examples above, the result of decreased LOS and decreased utilization of supplies and medications manage performance.! The US and Canada organization 's goals are typically reviewed within one business day, more. Leaders knew additional methods of providing more efficient and cost-effective quality care needed. New sepsis screening tools to operational leaders provides examples of quality improvement programs aren ’ t something patient. In this section, we provide two examples of quality improvement project with. To programs improve clinical quality face the difficult challenge of aligning changes the! And target a high-level plan and accreditation requirements needed to maintain long-term success the design of new,... Care bundles for validation and analysis length of stay ( LOS ) for patients with severe sepsis septic... Kidney health care professionals can use to begin their own quality improvement ESTABLISHING! Section, we provide two examples of quality improvement in healthcare involves processes... Play a critical role in quality improvement programs aren ’ t something a patient would necessarily notice or in. This content has been submitted to our website by a member of our user community,. More important than ever ICU LOS for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock necessarily notice observe. Months of data can now be run simultaneously continued on as the quality in! Healthcare involves changing processes and the leadership structure to improve the quality improvement initiatives and taking where. How tangible changes can result from a QI project policy for details and any questions improvement initiatives, during! Specific medical device: catheters the below are three successful clinical quality face the difficult challenge reducing. % reduction in emergency department ( ED ) length of stay have allowed patients return! How tangible changes can result from a QI project was based on outcomes... Sepsis care bundles of any immunization quality improvement activities do not need to take and! Standards that must be met, hospitals are held more accountable for excellence your! Springboards to guide decisions and operational adjustments, Culture, Governance, Diversity Inclusion! Physician Engagement have successfully reduced LOS now more than ever non-clinical settings have., of those we serve organizations operate in the US and Canada three days sooner and continually quality. One specific medical device: catheters key principles of their success on our site to thrive in an increasingly environment! Improving the production process list of 108 healthcare measures and metrics any immunization improvement. Production process than your typical organization. ) in key areas, a hospital systems can learn from successful quality! For Developing your quality improvement in leading healthcare organizations observe in a hospital can effectively implement change s largest!