Step 1. Plan
At this stage, it is necessary to identify existing problems as deeply as possible and predict changes in management processes. Current problems are the lack of proper communication between patients, doctors, and nurses, which leads to a failure to follow critical rules for the treatment of the COPD/CAD combination. The solution to this problem lies in the creation of an automated system that allows doctors and nurses to send the patient notifications about the treatment progress. Moreover, the system will improve monitoring, as all prescription medications and recommendations will be displayed and available to each participant.
Step 2. Do
This system should be tried out on an experimental basis for five patients at the clinic with the above diseases. It should be taken into account that patients may not understand the principle of operation of electronic devices because each of them will be conducted an educational part aimed at teaching patients. Each patient will receive online alerts from the attending staff on how to control the course of their illness. These notices specify not only the course of treatment but also the rules that the patient must follow.
Step 3. Check
The data collected during the experiment should be analyzed in order to understand whether it is correct to extrapolate such a scheme to a larger scale. Quality control may include interviews with patients, doctors, and nurses. Moreover, time studies should be conducted compared to baseline parameters. It is important to consider all the data obtained in order to design a complete picture of performance.
Step 4. Act
The previous three steps are the lead to the last and most important. If any deficiencies in the system are found, these factors must either be changed or eliminated (What is the plan-do-check-act, n.d.). If an electronic system is showing a malfunction, the architecture should be improved. If patients still do not receive relevant information, the learning model should be revised. If no errors are found, the proposed model should be sent to work, but the PDCA change check cycle should not stop.
Reference
What is the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle? (n.d.). ASQ. Web.