Qualiy Improvement (QI) Ovierview
Four key principles and differences of research and quality improvement.
| Research | Quality Improvement |
|---|---|
| Form and test hypothesis | Focus on systems and processes |
| Systematically study a problem of interest following a structured protocol | Establish measures to determine if a specific change actually leads to an improvement in systems and processes |
| Collect, analyze, and interpreter the findings of data collection | Analyze data to improve systems related to processes and outcomes (ie, cost, productivity, quality) |
| Disseminate the findings | Use the findings to improve quality of care |
Table from: Differentiating between research and QI Gregory 2015
Quality Improvement (QI) in under 15 minutes
- Johns Hopkins HealthCare LLC: Health Care Performance Qi OverviewOverview of the main measurements and tool kits related to QI. There are also guidelines and other helpful information made available. Breaks down: HEDIS, CMS ratings, PQRS, VBP, and ACOSs.
- SQUIRE QI Reporting GuidelinesSQUIRE stands for Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence. The SQUIRE guidelines provide a framework for reporting new knowledge about how to improve healthcare. They are intended for reports that describe system level work to improve the quality, safety, and value of healthcare.
QI Measurenments and Tool Kits
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Help with the first step in quality improvement planning and understanding health care problems in your area or hospital. Measurements and guide for: Safety information for patients; Patient safety information for providers; Quality improvement information for nursing professionals; Guide to readmission Asthma care quality improvement; Diabetes care quality improvement; Planning for quality improvement
- AHRG QI Guide on Improved Nursing Care Toolkits, measurements, etc. for the following areas: Patient Centered Care (Falls and Injuries, Pressure Ulcers, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections, Urinary Catheter-Related Infections, Preventing Other Healthcare Associated Infections), Opportunities for Patient Safety and Quality Improvement (Reducing Medication Errors and Handoffs), Working Conditions and Work Environment for Nurses (Nurse Fatigue and Stress, Nursing Turnover, Teamwork, Nursing Workload and Patient Safety)
- The Jount Commission: Measures Performance and accountability measures for a variety of scopes, including: tobacco use, stroke, immunization, etc.
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) – Knowledge Center Measures Includes measurements and tools (on another tab). Some topics include: Acute Care Inpatient and Observation Patient Throughput; Adverse Drug Events per 1,000 Doses; Care Team Development and Staff Satisfaction
- INACSL Repository of Instruments As of now, “Skill Performance” and “Learner Satisfaction/Self Confidence” citations evidence matrices were uploaded in December 2020, and we are currently working on updating the remaining categories.
- Sigma Repository of Tools, Instruments, and Measurenments The following list is divided by general topics. There may be costs and copyright considerations associated with the use of some tools. Tools referenced under a certain topic may be useful in other areas.
- QSEN Institute Evaluation tools search
Searching for QI-Related Literature
Business Source Complete (EBSCO)
Try: ((DE "QUALITY control") OR (DE "LEAN management")) AND (DE "MEDICAL care")
PubMed/MEDLINE
Try some of the following terms: "Total Quality Management", "Delivery of Health Care", "Quality Indicators, Health Care", "Delivery of Health Care, Integrated", Health Care Reform", "Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation", "Process Assessment (Health Care)", "Outcome Assessment (Health Care)", "Health Care Costs", "Quality of Health Care", "Quality Assurance, Health Care", "Primary Health Care", "Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care)"
CINAHL (EBSCO)
Try: ("quality improvement" OR "quality of health care" OR "quality of care research" OR "patient safety" OR "health care delivery") AND (YOUR TOPIC)
Top QI Related Journals and eBooks
- BMJ Quality and Safety - The journal integrates the academic and clinical aspects of quality and safety in healthcare by encouraging academics to create evidence and knowledge valued by clinicians and clinicians to value using evidence and knowledge to improve quality.
- Implementation Science - An open access journal that publishes research relevant to the scientific study of methods to promote the uptake of research findings into routine healthcare in clinical, organizational, or policy contexts.
- International Journal for Quality in Health Care - Official journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), it is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal addressing research, policy, and implementation related to the quality of health care and health outcomes for populations and patients worldwide.
- American Journal of Medical Quality - This peer-reviewed journal presents a forum for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and methods in improving the delivery and management of health care.
- Health Affairs - Up-to-date health policy news, topics, and guidelines.
- Patient Safety Monitor Journal - Best practices and tools related to sentinel events, care of patients, medication errors, infection control, restraints, competencies, credentialing, patient assessment, falls and workplace violence.
Health Services/Technology Assessment Texts (HSTAT): includes AHRQ evidence reports, SAMHSA/CSAT treatment protocols, etc.
Quality Improvement a Guide for Integration in Nursing by Call Number: onlineISBN: 9781284105544Publication Date: 2017-02-02
Clinical Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare by Call Number: onlineISBN: 9781119869351Publication Date: 2022-09-09
The SAGES Manual of Quality, Outcomes and Patient Safety by Call Number: onlineISBN: 9783030946098Publication Date: 2022-06-07
