What is a Quality Improvement Project?
'We cannot solve our problems with the
same thinking we used when we created them'
Albert Einstein
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There are many definitions of Quality and Quality Improvement (QI) therefore to enable a better
understanding we have defined them as:
Improving Quality:
Improving quality describes the overall ethos of Trusts, underpinned by a culture of safety, quality and
experience, where everyone is responsible for making services better.
Quality Improvement:
Quality Improvement science is an intentional, systematic approach, led by staff equipped with the
skills needed to bring about change, leading to better outcomes.
A quality improvement project involves:
• Using a set of tools and techniques that support individuals to implement the cycle of
improvement
• Recognising the importance of context and culture and the need for leadership
• Testing a quality improvement idea on a small scale in a real work setting
• Measuring the improvements
• Learning from your results
• Refining your changes then testing again
• Repeating this cycle until you are satisfied with the improvement
• Recognising the importance of engaging those who deliver and receive care.
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