Continuous quality improvement programs

Matanin D, Cutrell D. 1994. A continuous quality improvement program for phenytoin IV. Hosp Formal 29 212. 

Figure 2 Steps involved in organizing and implementing a continuous quality improvement program.

U.S. Army. 1998b. Generic Medical Continuing Quality Improvement Plan. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. U.S. Army Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization. 

Newland S, Golembiewski JA, Green CR, et al. 2001. Continuous quality improvement approach to reducing hy-dromorphone PCA programming errors. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 36 710. 

We decided to try DCM after several attempts at elaborate but spectacularly unsuccessful models of assessment that we d hoped would provide a common language and methodology for the entire college. Part of our motivation was to find a way to talk about assessment that matched a continuous Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) that the college had moved to for its own accreditation. As part of the North Central Accreditation system, MMCC had adopted a model of quality improvement that put process ahead of results, so the assessment question became what... 

A similar model is used to present the recommended levels of service and personnel from a pharmacy department and hospital perspective. Fundamental serviee includes the use of patient profiles, provision of ready to administer medications and parenterals, and adequate quality improvement programs. Desirable pharmacy services include computerized information management systems and an ICU satellite. Optimal pharmacy department services include a 24-hour satellite, physician order entry, and continuous availability of pharmaceutical care services. This document challenges practitioners and institutions to measure their progress and strive for the deli-... 

Pharmaceutical outcome data are also used to improve the quality of care, identify potential problems, and improve patient outcomes. These data are often used within a continuous quality improvement (CQI) cycle, where rate-based performance measures are tracked over time and used in conjunction with control charts to show changes in quality and assess the impact of programs or changes in process. Information can be fed back to front line health care practitioners, areas for possible improvement identified, appropriate changes made, and reassessments initiated. 

Ten years ago most firms were just beginning continuous quality improvement, and they could make rapid quality improvement by improving their control of their own process without involving suppliers. But, as their internal processes improved, firms began to identify problems caused by defects in their raw material. Often, when firms first realized the costs of poor supplier quality, they reacted by increasing their inspections of incoming material in an effort to improve quality. This immediately improved quality, but it also increased quality appraisal costs. To improve quality and decrease costs simultaneously, companies then initiated supplier development programs. 

Assessment is a key component of the outcomes-based accreditation system. Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information for the purpose of improving smdent learning and development. Programs must be assessed to measure if and how well student outcomes are being attained. The information gathered during the assessment process must be used to improve the quality of the program as part of the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process. 

OBE Implementation and Design of Continual Quality Improvement (CQI) for Accreditation of Biomedical Engineering Program University of Malaya... 

Shortcuts that compromise safety, quality, production, and so on just don t cut it and should not be allowed under any circumstanees. Instead, doing things right the first time must be stressed. Our business should strive to be better, safer, cheaper, and faster than our competitors. Continuous performance improvement programs should be instituted that include safety as an integral part of the business. Our standards should be set high and adhered to. 

Continuous Quality Improvement and Evaluation of Expanded School Mental Health Programs... 

Table 1 presents key steps in developing continuous quality improvement activities in school mental health. We emphasize that implementation of a cqi program is a process that takes time, money, and effort from all who are involved in the program, including its leaders, staff, collaborating stakeholders, advisory board members, and funders. 

Develop and implement a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQi) Program. 

For many industrialized countries, efforts to improve the outdoor air quality have been under way for the majority of this century. In many locations around the world, significant improvements have taken place. Air quality in many major cities such as London, New York, and Chicago has improved from the conditions present in the first half of the twentieth century. Mechanisms and control programs are in place in the developed countries to continue the improvement of ambient air quality. Considerable effort and energy have been expended to characterize, evaluate, and control air pollution emissions to the atmosphere. 

Continuous improvement is designed in to quality management programs. You may be able to demonstrate this in other quality initiatives within your company. Also, in many companies one or more aspects of PSM or ESH performance have stagnated and shown little improvement. A quality approach may reinvigorate these programs. 

Most QI programs build upon an established quality assurance (QA) process. Quality assurance can be defined as a formal and systematic process in which problems in delivering health care are identified, solutions to the problems are developed and implemented, and follow-up monitoring then is carried out [30]. QA begins with problem identification. After possible sources of the problem are determined, solutions are developed and implemented. Then, the results of the intervention or solution are evaluated to determine whether or not the problem has been resolved. By incorporating a goal of continual improvement, a QA process can contribute to quality improvement activities. 

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