Researchers developed a quality improvement toolkit based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s inpatient quality indicators and patient safety indicators. They evaluated the effectiveness of the tool by studying six participant hospitals.
The hospitals’ experiences revealed five major challenges, which guided modifications of the toolkit, according to the study:
1. Data and measurement issues.
2. Setting priorities among competing expectations.
3. Stakeholder buy-in and engagement.
4. Achieving sustainable improvements.
5. Varying uses of the tools.
Despite the challenges, the hospitals said many of the tools were usable and useful and aided the organizations in responding to incentive programs, according to the study. The authors suggested the toolkit is likely to help hospitals conduct quality improvement projects and the tool will continue to evolve over time to remain relevant.
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