Utilization of Improvement Methodologies by Healthcare Quality Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction:This study describes the work of healthcare quality professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the successes and challenges they faced when applying their expertise in performance and process improvement (PPI) to help manage the crisis.Methods:The researchers performed a descriptive analysis of anonymous survey data collected from members of the National Association for Healthcare Quality professional community who were asked about their improvement work during the pandemic response.Results:Most survey respondents used improvement methods to a great or moderate extent to measure what was happening (83%), rapidly review processes and practice (81%), and decide where to focus effort (81%). Fewer respondents used PPI methods to engage with patients and families (58% to a great or moderate extent). Looking to the future, respondents indicated that embedding systematic approaches to improvement within healthcare organizations (59%) and working in a more integrated way across teams (48%) should be prioritized in the post-pandemic recovery.Conclusions:The results from this study demonstrate why healthcare leaders should recognize the value that performance improvement approaches provide to everyday operations. They must empower PPI experts to lead this critical work and continue building workforce capacity in PPI methods to strengthen staff engagement and achieve better outcomes.

Using Rapid-Cycle Change to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in Primary Care

“…The rapid engagement of participants using improvement methodology produced results, and the motivation to participate and continue was remarkable during a time of profound disengagement and burnout in health care [23]. Widespread use of improvement methodologies in everyday practice needs to become more systemically embedded as the health system recovers post-COVID and responds to pressures to reduce costs and increase quality [24][25][26].…”

Supporting professionals in the use of N95 masks at the start of a COVID-19 pandemic: a quality improvement approach

“…The use of PDSA cycles contributes to the standardization and management of professional care in health services by developing and applying effective approaches to professional care management. 32 This initiative is recognized by Pesch et al 33 as the cornerstone of organizational change. In our project, the use of PDSA cycles was bene cial in facilitating the adaptation of ongoing recommendations, at the Cité-de-la-Santé hospital, for the use of PPE by the professionals who had to handle them.…”

“…However, despite this perceived importance, many routine improvement initiatives may be overlooked due to a lack of capacity, resources and perceived value by front-line healthcare staff. 33 In our study, this was minimized by the active participation of two family medicine residents as part of their microbiology internship. They collaborated with the microbiologists in charge of the IPC teams by taking on the role of quality improvement coaches.…”