Your Guide to Quality Improvement
Quality improvement can sound complex, but at its heart, it’s about a simple goal: making things better in a systematic way. It’s not just about large-scale projects; it’s present in the simple, powerful tools you likely use every day. From the standardized OR checklist that prevents error to the patient instructions written in clear, accessible language, QI is about creating reliable processes that lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient care. The first step is often the most important: recognizing that you can be a catalyst for change.
A successful QI journey follows a clear path, moving from an initial idea to a lasting solution. It begins with identifying a clear, measurable problem and assembling a multidisciplinary team to tackle it. The project then moves into an execution phase, where using a structured methodology (like PDSA), documenting your progress and communicating with stakeholders are key to success. Finally, to ensure your hard work creates lasting change, the journey concludes with sustaining the improvement through education, standardization and continuous monitoring.
This page provides the foundational knowledge and practical tips you need to confidently navigate every stage of this process. Whether you’re just starting to think about your first project or are looking for ways to ensure your current work has a lasting impact, these resources will guide you.
Resources
The videos below offer a step-by-step guide to the quality improvement process. They will help you understand the core concepts of QI and provide actionable best practices for starting, managing and sustaining your own projects.
What is Quality Improvement in Healthcare?
Learn the fundamentals of Quality Improvement (QI) in healthcare, including simple, actionable steps to help you identify potential projects, find common problems and connect with the right resources to get started.
Starting a QI Project
Discover the five essential first steps for launching a successful quality improvement project. This guide covers critical best practices, including how to define a clear problem, set SMART goals, assemble a multidisciplinary team and thoroughly understand your current state before taking action.
Completing a QI Project
Learn five essential tips for managing and completing a QI project, including structured methodology, small-scale testing, effective documentation and clear communication to keep your work on track.
Sustaining a QI Project
Learn six key strategies to ensure your quality improvement project has a lasting impact. This video covers essential techniques for sustaining your work, including standardizing new practices, implementing education and training, celebrating success and establishing automated monitoring to maintain your gains over time.