Quality Improvement

What is Quality Improvement?

Quality Improvement (QI) is a structured, systematic approach to improving how care is delivered by testing changes in real practice settings and measuring their impact over time.

QI focuses on:

Improving processes and outcomes
Using data to guide decisions
Making small, rapid tests of change
Embedding successful changes into daily work

QI at a Glance

QI is. . .

Improving how care is delivered
Testing change in practice
Using data and evidence to learn
Focused on a specific setting

QI is not. . .

Generalizable research
Controlled trials
Defining best practice
One-time implementation

The Improvement Process

Quality improvement follows a common process across models and settings.

Define the opportunity for improvement
Assess current performance
Identify why the problem is occurring
Design and test an improvement approach
Evaluate the results
Refine, sustain, or expand the change

Models and Frameworks

Quality improvement work is guided by structured models that support planning, testing, and evaluating changes in practice. Different models emphasize different aspects of improvement, and the choice of approach depends on the nature of the problem being addressed.

Common Quality Improvement Models in Healthcare

Model for Improvement focuses on testing changes and learning quickly through iterative cycles.
Lean focuses on improving efficiency by identifying and reducing waste.
Six Sigma focuses on reducing errors and variation in processes.

Model	*Primary Focus*	Best Used When. . .
*Model for Improvement*	Testing changes and learning quickly	You want to improve a process using small, rapid tests of change
Lean	Eliminating waste and improving flow	The process feels inefficient, redundant, or delayed
*Six Sigma*	Reducing defects and variation	Errors or inconsistencies are the main problem

Choosing the Right Improvement Approach

Testing and refining a change? >>> Model for Improvement

Inefficiency or waste? >>> Lean

Errors or variation? >>> Six Sigma