Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the health status of targeted patient groups (Source).

CQI Four-Stage Project Process

Begin your four stage CQI project by following the four stage process detailed below:

ActPlanDo
Study

 

Example CQI Projects

The below example projects illustrate the step-by-step approach to initiate and complete a CQI project utilizing the resources on the Home Visiting Gateway.

 

Stage 1: Plan

plan

Define - Define the problem your organization is facing. Think in terms of aims and scope of improvement. 

  • What problem are you trying to fix (Problem Statement)?
  • What is the root cause of the problem?
  • What change do you want to see in the process or problem to correct (Global Aim Statement)?
  • What are you trying to achieve (Specific Aim)?
  • What is your timeline for completing the planning, doing, studying, and acting (PDSA) stages?
  • What population is affected by the change?
  • What areas does the project aim impact the goals and strategic priorities of the MIECHV program and/or your agency?
  • Does the project aim align with MIECHV goals?
  • Does the project aim align with your agency’s strategic goals?

Explore - Further investigate the problem statement by gathering more information to understand how the improvement will affect other areas in the process.

  • What evidence (current data) supports your problem?
  • How will you measure your goals?
  • Do you have the resources to fix the issue?

Structure - Structure the organizational process to reflect the new change(s).  Assure the change is truly beneficial or if it will cause unnecessary defects in process.

  • Who are the members of the quality improvement project team?
  • How and to whom do you plan to implement the change?
  • Who will implement the change?
  • How will you communicate the plans for improvement and support the change process to team members and stakeholders?
  • How do you plan to measure the change?
  • How will you move from current state to future state?
  • What is the most important improvement?
  • Are you sure the change will bring the needed improvement?
  • How will you track and measure change?

View the tutorials and tools below which could be helpful in navigating this stage. View all tutorials on the Resource page.

Tools to guide this process include:

 

Stage 2: Do

do button

The Do Stage of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) develops and structures the new change/process to all areas for improvement.

  • Will you conduct a pilot study prior to full-scale implementation?
  • How will the culture for improvement be implemented?
  • How will you obtain the resources necessary to support the change?
  • How will you spread and maintain the new process/change?

View the tutorials and tools below which could be helpful in navigating this stage. View all tutorials on the Resource page.

Tools to guide this process include:

 

Stage 3: Study

study

The Study Stage of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) develops and defines the plan for evaluating the continuous quality improvement project.

  • How often will you monitor progress?
  • How will you check and verify the accuracy of the results?
  • Who will be responsible for maintaining the change?
  • Which data measurement system(s) will you use to monitor the change(s)?
  • How will you address any new areas for improvement?
  • How often will you review the process for needed improvements?

View the tutorials and tools below which could be helpful in navigating this stage. View all tutorials on the Resource page.

Tools to guide this process include:

Stage 4: Act

Act button

The Act Stage of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) finalizes the documentation of the continuous quality improvement process and plan for future projects.

  • Has the organizational process map been updated to reflect the change(s)?
  • Have the organizational policies and procedures been updated to reflect the changes(s)?
  • Have you shared the status and results of the project with team members/stakeholders?

Congratulations! You are nearing the end of the CQI project. The aim of this stage is to finalize the documentation of the project and plan for future projects.

View the tutorials and tools below which could be helpful in navigating this stage. View all tutorials on the Resource page.

Tools to guide this process include:

 

Next Steps: