Introduction
CQI is a philosophical underpinning in healthcare that focuses on a team making a conscious and honest evaluation of their practices and trying to devise new procedures to make it better, fast, more effective, and more efficient. It addresses all the patient safety measures to ensure that the services are standard and with minimal if any error (Manzanera et al., 2018). Implementation of CQI occurs where the healthcare providers have genuine concern for improving the quality of life for their practice, individual and community patients. It is an inquisitive and research-dense approach that refuses to be satisfied by the status quo.
Components and Domains of CQI
Quality improvements depends on strategic decision making by the leader in collaboration with multidisciplinary team within the health system. As such, CQI can only be implemented when there is firm leadership of the healthcare organization evident in interrelated domains including, “models of care, organizational capacity, information, regulations and standards, information, patient and population engagement” (Hanker et al., 2018, p.180). The heads of each of the domains should be involved in the decision-making and monitoring of any quality improvement plan. Moreover, it is vital to keep data used to review and make adjustments before large-scale adoption of a quality program.
Career Aspirations and CQI Implementation
The medical team has been at the forefront of adopting modern technology to improve their practice. Hospitals are changing from the traditional paperwork system and adopting electronic records. However, the transition has led to data theft, compromised patients’ confidentiality and privacy, loss of patient information, and unauthorized access (Aydin & Kumru, 2022a). The implication is that integrating CQI is paramount in mitigating the drawback while enhancing mental care delivery.
Models of CQI
There are many types of CQI strategies that can be used based on the goals and objectives that the healthcare organization has. In the context of EHR, CQI can lead to transformation and meaningful use of information technology to improve health records without compromising the patients’ data. Each of the strategies has a specific area of focus and may be similar in some ways. The most ideal combination for enhancing EHR is PDSA and six sigma approach.
Description of PDSA
The PDSA is an easy and efficient model for elimination of waste within the healthcare systems. It is used to simplify process by eliminating excessive procedures by using modern techniques (Stan, 2018). The ultimate aim of PDSA is to ensure delivery of high quality care at a cost effective price. For instance, if the records of a patients can be captured once and store on cloud, then the intake or assessment process does not have to start from the scratch each time the same patient visits a healthcare facility. Thus, the cost for intake and assessment is reduced but the treatment remains.
PDSA in EHR Implementation Context
The first step is always to define the problem and indicate the contextual limitations. For example, many patients may complain that there is a breach of their data on the internet. The PDSA will focus on one problem first, find a solution evaluate effectiveness and complete the cycle before moving to the next step. The process is data-driven to ensure that there is objectivity and that the solutions are scalable. It is vital to have standardized, credible, and valid tools for evaluating and implementing the PDSA quality improvement throughout the steps. There are several proven tools that healthcare providers use in supporting quality management objectives. The include flowchart, data tools such as Pareto chart, maps, root-cause analysis tools like fishbone diagram or force field analysis. Moreover, the tools are used for understanding the impact of every action on the electronic health records.
Description of Six Sigma
The Six Sigma enhances reliability of the electronic records by ensuring that over time there is no variability in the process. For example, the assessment criteria is standardized across all healthcare facilities to ensure that any changes is an alert for unauthorized access. Combining six sigma and PDSA is useful in achieving continuous improvement of all the healthcare processes. One of the tools is the interview response from customers to assess reduced data breach cases.
Process maps or use of value-stream mapping. Moreover, the team can make use of the suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers (SIPOC) diagram to understand the interrelations in different components of the program. Other useful tools for Six Sigma include control charts and root-cause analysis tools.
Conclusion
In summary, using the Six Sigma approach provides the error reduction effect necessary for proper EHR implementation. In addition, Six Sigma works in the long run, making continual quality improvement possible. Lastly, Six Sigma streamlines experience for staff, helping the personnel to embrace change. Therefore, Six Sigma should be deployed as the main CQI approach in HER implementation.
References
Aydin, G., & Kumru, S. (2022a). Paving the way for increased e-Health record use: Elaborating intentions of Gen-Z. Health Systems, 1(1), 1-18. Web.
Hanker, H., Fox-Lewis, S., Tap, N., Vanna, D., Pol, S., & Turner, C. (2018). Healthcare workers’ perceptions of an organizational quality assurance program implemented in a resource-limited setting: A qualitative study. Health Promotion Perspectives, 8(3), 179-186. Web.
Manzanera, R., Moya, D., Gilbert, M., Plana, M., Galvez, G., Ortner, J., & Mira, J. (2018). Quality assurance and patient safety measures: A comparative longitudinal analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(8), 1568. Web.
O’Donnell B. & Gupta V. (2022). Continuous quality improvement. StatPearls Publishing.
Stan, L. (2018). Quality management in healthcare: Performance improvement. Manager, (27), 85-92.