Question: Quality Improvement Plan

Section 1: Introduction

Introduction: Program or Issue Background and Purpose Statement (Restate your group's proposal and purpose statement from Week 3 here.)

Definitions: (Define the key clinical and quality terms used in the quality improvement plan so that there is a consistent language among team members. Refer to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Developing and implementing a QI plan: Introduction link in Week 3 for guidance.)

Section 2: Leadership and OrganizationTeam Sponsor

The key to the success of the quality improvement process is sponsorship and leadership. The following describes how the team sponsor provides support to quality improvement activities. (Refer to Chapter 12 of Understanding Teamwork in Healthcare for guidance on the team sponsor's role.)

Quality Improvement Committee

This committee develops the quality improvement plan and activities. (List the names of group members and their roles on the committee. The membership should include representatives from the clinical and management areas as well as a recipient/family member for adult settings and a family member for children settings. Indicate the team leader. Refer to Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of Understanding teamwork in healthcare for guidance on the roles of committee members.)

Section 3: Quality Intervention

Identify the recurring quality problem and determine how the problem results from existing processes and procedures. Devise a flowchart or map of the process. After the process is mapped, it becomes clear what interventions are needed. Define the intervention that will address the problem and who will be involved (whose behavior will change as a result of the quality intervention). (Refer to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Developing and implementing a QI plan: Introduction link in Week 3 for guidance.)

Section 4: Training Plan

Describe how the training will be delivered; for example, train-the-trainer, TeamSTEPPS, or another method. (Refer to the About TeamSTEPPS link in Week 11 for guidance.)

Section 6: Evaluation Plan

Describe how your group will evaluate the impact of training, who will be responsible for developing the evaluation, how the results will be communicated, and who is responsible for approving the evaluation plan.

(Refer to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Developing and implementing a QI plan, Part 5: Implementing a QI plan in Week 12 for guidance.)

Section 7: Communications Plan

Develop a plan for communicating to leadership, staff, and community stakeholders what will be done and how the goal will be achieved. The communication may take place through the following methods: posters displayed in common areas, newsletters, handouts, participation in department meetings, or reports to community groups, for example. (Refer to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Developing and implementing a QI plan, Part 5: Implementing a QI plan in Week 12 for guidance.)

Adapted from: New York State Office of Mental Health, Office of Quality Management (2005). Quality improvement plan.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Developing and implementing a QI plan.