Background For Assignment:

There should always be a direct relationship between strategy and quality improvement efforts in any organization, especially health care. This relationship will ensure that resources are committed to recommended improvements and performance measures are directed appropriately. Dashboards and scoreboards, although often used synonymously, are not the same. A dashboard is a tool used to report ongoing performance of critical processes that lead to organizational success. Scoreboards are used to report on prior or past performance rather than real-time performance-in other words, outcome measures rather than process measures. Both are very useful leadership and governance tools that create focus and alignment within the organization in areas that need improving and are critical to tracking progress on strategic objectives.

Leadership also plays a critical role in improvement. Good leaders set the tone in an environment where quality can thrive, resulting in the effective implementation of improvement processes. Good leaders are responsible for structures, systems, and cultures in which improvement team's function: however, leaders do not and cannot make improvements alone. Quality improvement and cultures of high reliability depend on the efforts and actions of all involved in improvement projects.

This week, you will analyze the impact of a culture and high reliability on patient experiences and work environments and then recommend steps to foster and overcome the challenges of a culture of high reliability. You will also examine the concept of reciprocal inhibition.

Learning Objectives

Students will:
- Analyze the use of reciprocal inhibition to improve patient outcomes in quality and safety
- Recommend steps to foster a culture of high reliability in an organization
- Recommend strategies for overcoming challenges of fostering a culture of high reliability

Assignment Topic: Reciprocal Inhibition

You can decrease the frequency of any behavior through punishment, but why not give some thought to reciprocal inhibition? Reciprocal inhibition is the process of defining the opposite of the undesirable behavior and reinforcing the positive instead. Reciprocal inhibition can be useful for leaders in helping change behaviors aiming for high reliability. For example, instead of punishing errors, reward quality.

In this Assignment you will identify where reciprocal inhibition might be used to improve patient outcomes in quality and patient safety. You will also recommend steps that will foster a culture of quality and recommend at least one strategy for overcoming the challenges of achieving a culture of high reliability.

To prepare:

Review this Week's Learning Resources related to creating a culture of high reliability

The Assignment:

This week's reading suggests that reciprocal inhibition is a good strategy to change reinforcers in the health care system and that "culture eats strategy."

Considering your organization, or a health care organization you are familiar with, write a 3- to 4-page paper that:

- Describes how and where reciprocal inhibition might be used to improve patient outcomes in quality and improve patient safety.

- Explains how using reciprocal inhibition may be an improvement in the culture of quality. Include any steps that will foster a culture of quality in an organization to become a high-reliability organization.

- Recommend at least one strategy for overcoming the challenges of fostering a culture of high reliability.