Quality Improvement in Athletic Health Care

Abstract

Context: Quality improvement (QI) is a health care concept that ensures patients receive high-quality (safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered) and affordable care. Despite its importance, the application of QI in athletic health care has been limited.

Objectives: To describe the need for and define QI in health care, to describe how to measure quality in health care, and to present a QI case in athletic training.

Description: As the athletic training profession continues to grow, a widespread engagement in QI efforts is necessary to establish the value of athletic training services for the patients that we serve. A review of the importance of QI in health care, historical perspectives of QI, tools to drive QI efforts, and examples of common QI initiatives is presented to assist clinicians in better understanding the value of QI for advancing athletic health care and the profession. Clinical and Research Advantages: By engaging clinicians in strategies to measure outcomes and improve their patient care services, QI practice can help athletic trainers provide high-quality and affordable care to patients.

Keywords: Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles; patient safety; system measurement; value.

Figure 1.

Quality improvement linked aims. Adapted with permission from Quality and Safety in Health Care, What is “quality improvement” and how can it transform healthcare? Batalden PB, Davidoff F, volume 16, pages 2−3, © 2007, with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Limited.

Figure 2.

Connecting the elements in the science of improvement using the clinical improvement formula. © Joint Commission Resources: Olds DM, Brennan CW, Misra-Hebert AD, et al. Understanding clinical improvement: foundations of knowledge for change in health care systems. In: Splaine ME, Dolansky MA, Estrada CA, Patrician PA, eds. Practice-Based Learning & Improvement: A Clinical Improvement Action Guide. 3rd ed. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, 2012, page 6. Reprinted with permission.

Figure 3.

The model for improvement. Reprinted with permission. Langley GJ, Moen RD, Nolan KM, Nolan TW, Norman CL, Provost LP. The Improvement Guide: A Practical Approach to Enhancing Organizational Performance. 2nd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Copyright © 2009; 23–24. All rights reserved.