DISCUSSION: Using Process Maps for Quality Assessment and Improvement

Given the synergistic relationship between process and outcomes, leader-managers and other team members need to evaluate processes related to care delivery, customer service, and other matters in order to diagnose problems and effectively improve quality.

A process map is a visual representation that illustrates activities and practices as they occur, which serves as a valuable resource for identifying trouble spots. It is important to note that process maps can also be used for evaluation after an intervention has been implemented. For instance, looking at a process map following an intervention may help leader-managers to note discrepancies between what was planned and what is actually being practiced, or to see that a process has in fact improved, even if the outcomes have not met the targets.

In this Discussion, you examine how process mapping could be applied to your Course Project.

To prepare:

· Review the Learning Resources, focusing on the use of process maps for improving quality and safety.

· Bring to mind your work on your Course Project thus far. How could you use a process map to diagnose problems and inform strategies for improvement? In addition, think about how using a process map could inform and enhance your data collection efforts.

· Conduct additional research on this topic to support your thinking.

Write an explanation of how using a process map could inform and facilitate quality assessment and improvement, including data collection efforts, related to your Course Project. Support your response with evidence from the literature.

PROJECT part 1: Course Project: Promoting Health Care Quality

Section 3: Quality Measurement and Assessment

Review the complete Assignment description presented.

PROJECT PART 2:

Course Project: Promoting Health Care Quality

Section 4: Quality Improvement Strategies

Throughout this course you have been considering the relationship between structure, process, and outcomes as it relates to health care quality. Looking at outcomes, alone, may not tell the "whole story." For instance, if you are concerned with improving fall rates, evaluating the process-related activities or practices-can help you identify factors that contribute to outcomes and develop strategies for improving them.
For this section of your Course Project, you create a process map to examine a current process related to your quality improvement issue. You will use the results of the process mapping to redesign a process to help minimize or close the performance gap(s). As you proceed, keep in mind the importance of maintaining a patient-centered focus so the patient experience is not negatively affected by any changes in process.

To prepare:

· Review the instructions provided in the Learning Resources for creating a process map.

· With your quality improvement issue in mind, as well as the other work you have completed on your Course Project thus far, think about how creating a process map could help you to better understand your quality improvement issue and redesign an associated process.

· Create a process map using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint.

· Refine the strategies for promoting systems-level change to minimize or close the performance gap(s) that you began to think. As part of this, identify a way to redesign at least one process based on your analysis of the process map that you have created.

To complete:

· Write a 2- to 3-page paper in which you describe quality improvement strategies that you selected related to your quality improvement issue.

· Finalize your process map, which will be submitted along with the paper.