QI Foundations: The Basics

Goal

The overall educational goal of this set of online, self-paced, basic-level learning resources is to provide knowledge and skills in the science of improvement and patient safety to enable the learner, regardless of their role, to actively participate in quality improvement (QI) initiatives at the department level within their institution.

Competencies

Learners at the “QI beginner-level" should achieve the following competencies:

• Recognize areas for improvement within the department and support quality initiatives at the department level
  
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams within department to promote and enhance safe care
  
• Role model life-long learning and self-evaluation in quality improvement and patient safety for trainees and all health professionals trainees
  
• Develop basic proficiency in the science of quality improvement and patient safety

Objectives

After reviewing all of the learning resources provided below, the learner will be able to:

• Recognize their role in QI
  
• Provide an overview of different types of QI methodology (lean, MFI, etc.)
  
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to promote and enhance safe care
  
• Educate trainees on quality or safety-related initiatives within their department
  
• Integrate learned concepts into future quality improvement initiatives in their department as a participant or committee member

Content

• Overview of quality goals at the institutional and national arena
  
• Basic introduction to QI methodologies (lean, six sigma, model for improvement)
  
• Examples of how learners can contribute to the quality initiatives being conducted within their institutions 

Foundational Tools

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School provides a number of online courses and resources designed to build core skills in improvement, safety, and leadership. BCM residents, faculty, and staff are eligible to obtain free access to Open School course materials and other improvement tools and programs/training provided by the IHI.

Access Instructions: Use the below button to view IHI login instructions. When prompted, USE YOUR BCM CREDENTIALS to proceed to the instructions page.

IHI Certification - Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety

All QI beginner-level learners are encouraged to obtain the Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety, offered through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The required courses for the certification are designed to help the learner gain a foundational understanding of quality improvement and patient safety principles and tools.

To earn and receive the Certificate, learners must complete 13 required courses, as follows: QI 101-105, PS 101-105, TA 101, and L 101. Each course may be accessed below.

Tip: When accessing a below course, open the link in a new window, so that this page will remain open for easy reference, as needed.

Improvement Capability

• QI 101: Introduction to Health Care Improvement
• QI 102: How to Improve with the Model for Improvement
• QI 103: Testing and Measuring Changes with PDSA Cycles
• QI 104: Interpreting Data: Run Charts, Control Charts, and Other Measuring Tools
• QI 105: Leading Quality Improvement

Patient Safety

• PS 101: Introduction to Patient Safety
• PS 102: From Error to Harm
• PS 103: Human Factors and Safety
• PS 104: Teamwork and Communication
• PS 105: Responding to Adverse Events

Triple Aim for Populations

• TA 101: Introduction to the Triple Aim for Populations

Person- and Family-Centered Care

• PFC 101: Introduction to Patient-Centered Care

Leadership

• L 101: Introduction to Health Care Leadership

IHI Video Library – Improvement Capability

In addition to obtaining the Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety described above, all QI beginner-level learners are encouraged to review the select videos listed below.

Tip: When accessing a below video, open the link in a new window, so that this page will remain open for easy reference, as needed.

• The Science of Improvement on a Whiteboard
• Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge (Part 1)
• Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge (Part 2)
• The Model for Improvement (Part 1)
• The Model for Improvement (Part 2)
  
• Run Charts (Part 1)
  
• Run Charts (Part 2)
  
• PSDA Cycles (Part 1)
  
• PSDA Cycles (Part 2)
  
• Why is Planning Such an Important Part of PDSA?
  
• How Long Should a PDSA Cycle Last?
  
• Cause and Effect Diagram
  
• How Do You Use a Driver Diagram?
  
• Is There a Secret to Sustaining Improvements?

Other Resources (optional)

Tip: When accessing a below resource, open the link in a new window, so that this page will remain open for easy reference, as needed.

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) - Quality Measure Tools and Resources
  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Performance Management and Quality Improvement
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Resources for Quality Improvement
• Public Health Foundation (PHF) - Quality Improvement Resources
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) - Free Resources