Quality improvement (QI) is a systematic, formal approach to the analysis of practice performance and efforts to improve performance. A variety of approaches—or QI models—exist to help you collect and analyze data and test change. While it’s important to choose a reputable QI model to guide your efforts, it’s more important that you fully commit to using the QI process and good QI practices. (https://www.aafp.org/practice-management/improvement/basics.html)

VIDEO: Quality Improvement in Healthcare

Quality Improvement Models and Tools

Plan-Do-Study-Act [PDSA] cycles (www.ihi.org): The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Model for Improvement combines two popular QI models: Total Quality Management (TQM) and Rapid-Cycle Improvement (RCI). The result is a framework that uses PDSA cycles to test interventions on a small scale.

Six Sigma(asq.org): Six Sigma is a method of improvement that strives to decrease variation and defects.

Lean(www.ihi.org) is an approach that drives out waste and improves efficiency in work processes so that all work adds value.