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Pennsylvania Respiratory Research Collaborative

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Quality Improvement

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Define and Importance of QI
Introduction to Quality Improvement (QI)

  • What is Quality Improvement?: Quality improvement refers to systematic, data-driven efforts to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of healthcare services. The goal is to enhance patient outcomes, reduce errors, and optimize care delivery processes.

Importance of QI: QI plays a central role in making healthcare better, safer, and more efficient.

Goals of QI:

  1. Improves Patient outcomes by helping to reduce medical errors

  2. Enhances patient safety: Systematic analysis of errors helps prevent future incidents

  3. Reduces Cost – By preventing errors, streamlining processes, QI cuts down on waste.

  4. Increase efficiency – Improving workflow

  5. Promotes Accountability & transparency: tracking and reporting QI data encourages transparency.

The Peer Review Process

Improvement Framework

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  1. The first step is to clearly define the problem we’re looking to solve. Without a clear understanding of the challenge, it’s impossible to create effective solutions. During this phase, we:

    • Set the Scope: Define the specific area or process that requires improvement.

    • Establish Objectives: Identify the desired outcomes and how success will be measured

    • Gather Stakeholder Input: Involve employees, or other stakeholders to understand their perspective.

  2. Diagnose: Analyze Root Causes

    • In this phase, we focus on understanding the root causes of the issues identified in the Define phase. We use various diagnostic tools to dig deeper and analyze the problem, such as:

      • Root Cause Analysis (RCA): To identify underlying causes instead of just symptoms.

      • Data Collection & Analysis: Gathering relevant data to understand trends and patterns

      • Process Mapping: To visualize workflows and identify inefficiencies.

  3. Test & Implement:

    • The focus is on designing, testing, and fully implementing solutions. After identifying the best solutions, we:

      • Solution Design: Develop potential solutions based on insights from the Diagnose phase.

      • Pilot Testing: Implement small-scale tests or trials to see how the solutions perform in practice.

      • Measure Results: Collect data during the test phase to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions.

      • Full Implementation: Once we’ve validated the solution through testing, we roll it out on a larger scale.

      • Training & Communication: Ensure employees understand the new processes and are trained to implement them.

      • Monitor & Adjust: Track the results of the implementation and adjust as necessary to ensure success.

  4. Sustain & Spread:

    • In the Sustain & Spread phase, we work to ensure that improvements are maintained over time and scale them across the organization. This phase includes:

      • Standardization: Develop standard operating procedures to ensure consistent application of changes.

      • Continuous Monitoring: Track performance to ensure that improvements are sustained and refined over time.

      • Ongoing Training: Offer continuous learning opportunities to employees to reinforce best practices and ensure everyone is aligned.

      • Sharing Success: Spread successful solutions across other areas of the organization and share lessons learned.

SMARTIE Aim and Metrics

To ensure our initiatives have clear direction and purpose, we set SMARTIE Aims—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable. In conjunction with clear metrics, these goals help us track our progress and make data-driven decisions that lead to tangible improvements.

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Tools


Process map, fishbone, swim lane, key driver, diagram, impact/effort, matrix, PDSA

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Questions?  Send an email to DirectorofOperations@psrc.net​
 

The Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care updates its look to emphasize its mission to Respiratory Therapists in our Commonwealth: Education, Research, Leadership.

Phoenixville, PA. – March 8, 2024– The Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care, Inc. (PSRC), the premier advocate for respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy professionals, unveiled their refreshed logo exemplifying their core values: Education, Research, and Leadership.   

Eileen Censullo, President of the PSRC and leader at the American Heart Association, remarked, “Changing our logo was important to me and the board to freshen the look and emphasize what we focus on as Respiratory Therapists as a board and as practitioners in the state. Respiratory Therapists are the premier leaders in Respiratory education, research, and leadership in the state of PA. We held a contest in the PSRC membership to submit logos and the logo was voted on by the membership. It is crisp and clean. “

 

Jerin Juby, Vice-President of the PSRC and a faculty member at Thomas Jefferson University, said, “We have been evolving, and it was time for us to refresh our looks. And furthermore, we asked our members to design the logo, which not only highlighted talent but also supported a refresh of our vision and mission amongst our members. We hold utmost pride in representing one of the most amazing professions in healthcare.”  

 

About the Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care (PSRC):

The PSRC is a leading state affiliate of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), serving all respiratory therapists and respiratory professionals in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth.  Its purpose is “to advance the art and science of respiratory care through educational publications and programs for its members, other medical professionals, and the general public and to promote pulmonary health and disease prevention."

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Pennsylvania has almost 6,000 RTs (6th nationally) caring for those with acute and complex respiratory diseases.  Their expertise and dedication provide the very best patient outcomes.  The RTs of PA are considered one of the best in the US. 

The PSRC Board of Directors is comprised of key opinion leaders in the field of respiratory care.  Education, Research, and Leadership experts make up the board and drive best practices in PA and set the example across the US.

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