"Applying Quality Improvement Science to Performance Challenges".
Methodology
The Improvement Programmes are all based on the same improvement methodology. The
approach is to improve clinical systems and processes through the application of improvement tools and techniques. These tools and techniques are designed to improve access, reduce handoffs, waits and delays, reduce variation, increase reliability and safety and improve overall patient flow.
Improvement programmes should support improvement across all 6 Dimensions of Quality (Institute of Medicine):
• Safety
• Effectiveness
• Patient Centredness
• Timely
• Efficient
• Equitable
Plans should outline the strategy for patient and public involvement.
The involvement of all people working across the NHS and partner organisations is the requirement to deliver improvement of the scale and scope required. The improvement methodology is patient focussed - reviewing care delivery systems and processes from the patient perspective. The creation of opportunities to reduce duplication, waste and error and add value from the perspective of the service user.
At the front line the approach should include testing proposed changes using small scale rapid cycles of change (Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles) to analyse impact against improvement measures. IST offers the Continuous Improvement Toolkit and Core Improvement Skills training to support the use of this improvement approach.
Improvement programmes use evidence based 'High Impact Changes' to ensure changes
are focussed to deliver maximum improvement.