How do you measure the success of your quality improvement efforts?

1 Define your QI objectives

The first step is to clearly define your QI objectives and how they relate to your mission, vision, and values. You should also identify the specific problems or issues that you want to improve, the root causes of these problems, and the desired outcomes or changes that you expect to see. Your QI objectives should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

2 Choose your QI indicators

The next step is to choose your QI indicators, which are measurable variables that reflect the quality of care, service, or performance that you want to improve. QI indicators can be categorized into three types: structure, process, and outcome. Structure indicators measure the resources, facilities, and systems that support the delivery of care. Process indicators measure the activities, procedures, and interventions that are performed during the delivery of care. Outcome indicators measure the results, effects, or impacts of the care on the patients, providers, or population.

3 Collect and analyze your QI data

The third step is to collect and analyze your QI data, which are the values or scores of your QI indicators over a period of time. You should use reliable and valid methods and tools to collect and store your QI data, such as surveys, audits, charts, or electronic health records. You should also use appropriate statistical and graphical techniques to analyze and display your QI data, such as frequency distributions, means, standard deviations, percentages, rates, ratios, trends, charts, or graphs.

5 Communicate and act on your QI findings

The fifth step is to communicate and act on your QI findings, which are the conclusions or recommendations that you draw from your QI results. You should communicate your QI findings to your stakeholders, such as staff, patients, partners, or funders, using clear and concise language and formats, such as reports, presentations, or newsletters. You should also act on your QI findings by implementing changes, improvements, or innovations based on your QI findings, as well as by monitoring and evaluating the effects of these actions.

6 Review and revise your QI plan

The sixth and final step is to review and revise your QI plan, which is the document that outlines your QI objectives, indicators, data, results, findings, and actions. You should review your QI plan regularly and systematically to assess its relevance, validity, and effectiveness. You should also revise your QI plan as needed to reflect new or emerging issues, opportunities, or challenges that may affect your QI efforts.