12 How capable are we? Quality improvement tools published on posters at an international healthcare quality conference

Background One simple means to measuring capacity¹ to undertake Quality Improvement (QI) is straightforward: how many have been trained formally? This represents a process measure. However, demonstrating capability is more challenging (outcome measure). One approach is to survey application of QI Tools and data visualisation on posters. Jay Arthur, Developer of QI Macros, audited posters at a number of Quality Conferences.² The proportion displaying QI Tools was relatively low. Our study aimed to assess QI capability by analysing usage of QI tools in posters at an International Healthcare Quality Conference.

Methods The survey assessed all displayed posters for a series of QI Tools and appropriate data visualisation.

Results 100 posters were assessed (figure 1). 36% of posters were presented run charts, 33% included use of PDSA, 19% used a Fishbone diagram, 14% a Driver Diagram, 13% included Process Maps. Only 7% of posters contained at least one Statistical Process Control (SPC) chart and 5% included a Pareto chart. These findings are consistent with those from other Quality Conferences.

Conclusion This study revealed poor usage of QI tools at poster presentation sessions at an international healthcare quality event, prompting a necessary revision of QI educational approaches within these systems. One approach to measure the impact of QI capability building was to assess the use of QI Tools and appropriate data visualisation in posters or papers. Use of key QI tools, such as process mapping, Driver and Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto and SPC charts should be the next focus of QI capability building. This is ideally performed during a QI project to help embed the knowledge. Additional methods of assessing QI capability should be considered in the evaluation of the impact of QI training. Improvement Advisors and Coaches have a role to play in reinforcing any initial training in QI.

References

1. Mery G, Dobrow MJ, Baker GR, Im J, Brown A. Evaluating investment in quality improvement capacity building: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2017;7:e012431. Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012431

2. Arthur, J. Healthcare data analytics webinar. [Internet] 2023 [updated 2023 Feb 02; cited 2023 Nov 13]; Available from: https://www.qimacros.com/lean-six-sigma-blog/2-14-23-healthcare-data-analytics-webinar/

Ethical Approval/IRB Statement This project is exempt as a Quality Improvement Audit.

Disclosures and Acknowledgments No relevant disclosures. We acknowledge Mr Jay Arthur for his personal communication supporting his webinar. We acknowledge the team members who participated in the data collection.