1. Module 3: Part 1 Developing and Implementing a QI Plan: Understanding the QI Plan
Adapted from:
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Quality Toolkit

2. Learning Objectives Module 3
Discuss the important role of an effective QI plan in improving performance

3. A Quality Improvement Plan
Is a detailed work plan for quality improvement activities
Includes essential information on how you will manage, deploy, and review quality
Is developed by executive and clinical leadership
May need approval by a governing body, such as a Board of Directors

4. A Quality Improvement Plan
Is updated regularly to reflect what you are doing to improve quality
Outlines focus areas for the current and subsequent calendar years
Is developed based on the evaluation of the previous year's QI activities, priorities and program requirements

5. Operations Manual

6. connectheartfailure.org Strategic Objective Current Standing
Opportunity
Action Plan
1.1 Key facility stakeholders are invested in the improvement of HF patient care
1.2 Facility has a quality improvement team focused on HF patient management and improving outcomes
1.3 Facility has a well-defined multidisciplinary team who manages the HF patient
1.4 Facility has a team that meets regularly to discuss HF and HF readmission issues
1.5 Facility completes multidisciplinary rounds daily with HF patients (Monday-Friday at a minimum)
1.6 LOS and GLOS are tracked for the HF patient and available on whiteboard in the patient’s room
1.7 Yearly mandatory plan to educate physicians and staff on latest GMDT for HF

8. PDSA = Plan Do Study Plan Act
Act – Adopt the change, abandon it, or run through the cycle again
Plan a change or test, aimed at improvement
Do – Carry out the change or the test
Study the results. What did we learn? What went as planned? Why?

9. Elements of an Effective QI Plan
Includes a description of:
Organizational mission
Program goals
Objectives
Definition of key quality terms/concepts
Description of:
How QI project is selected, managed, and monitored

10. Elements of an Effective QI Plan (cont)
Description of:
Measurement and analysis, and how it will help define future QI activities
Evaluation/quality assurance activities that will be utilized to determine the effectiveness of the QI plan’s implementation

11. Before developing a QI plan
How to Begin a QI Plan
Before developing a QI plan
Understand your organization’s current status regarding quality improvement
An assessment of current activities in your organization will help you:
Identify strengths and weaknesses
Identify barriers to sustain

12. Identify Quality Policies and External Requirements
Identify the external requirements your organization may need to fulfill before developing a QI plan
These external requirements may be the funding organization’s quality requirements or standards for obtaining accreditation
Examples:
Regulatory agencies
Accreditation requirements

13. Establish Support and Confirm Commitment from Leadership
Successful QI effort = engagement and buy-in from leadership
Leadership plays an important role in improving quality by:
Setting priorities
Providing structure to support the improvement effort
Modeling core values
Promoting a learning atmosphere
Acting on recommendations
Advocating for supportive policies
Allocating resources for improvement

14. Commit Resources to Support QI Activities
What is needed to achieve your QI priorities:
People
Funding
Equipment
Space
Training/development
Adequate resources should be allocated to:
- Staff time
- Ongoing training of employees and medical staff
- Technical assistance
- Materials or equipment
- Technical support, such as management information system

15. The Key Elements of a QI plan
A description of:
Purpose, priorities, policies, and goals of the program
A description of the organizational systems needed to implement the program, including:
QI committee structure and functions
Descriptions of accountability
Roles and responsibilities

16. Summary Quality improvement plan
Is a detailed, and overarching organizational work plan for an organization's clinical and service quality improvement activities
To be successful organizations must have:
Leadership support and commitment
Commit resources
Educate staff