Patient safety and quality improvement: an overview of QI

Abstract

It is important for pediatric providers to be involved in quality improvement (QI) activities to improve children’s health outcomes.• The Model for Improvement asks several key questions related to a process, then uses Plan-Do-Study-Act(PDSA) cycles to implement, test, and spread changes.• Lean and Six Sigma methodologies can improve quality by increasing workflow efficiency and decreasing variation.• Root cause analysis (RCA) is a retrospective quality tool that helps determine factors contributing to errors and adverse events, so that improvements can be implemented.• Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) isa prospective quality tool that anticipates system vulnerabilities and helps develop risk reduction strategies.• Evidence-based interventions, such as best-practice guidelines, promote standardization and reduce errors and adverse events, especially in high-risk health-care settings.• Team training can improve communication and situational awareness to create a safer health-care environment.