Quality Improvement
Welcome to the Quality Improvement section. In this section you will find everything you need to begin running your own quality improvement project. The articles are arranged chronologically in the order in which you might need them. The exception to this are the articles 'Psychology of Change' and 'Team Working' which can be read at any point in your quality improvement journey.
Visit the Resource Section or Recommended Books below.
Resources
You may find the following websites useful in your quality improvement journey. While we have provided a comprehensive list, we recognise it is not always complete. If you have any recommendations please let us know by getting in touch.
IHI is a world leader in using improvement science to advance health care across the world. Use their toolkit to launch your improvement project or visit their Open School to learn more.
ASQ is a global organisation that works to empower individuals to achieve excellence through quality. Use their quality tools to make informed decisions for your improvement activities.
NHS England has developed a comprehensive collection of improvement tools. You can search the collection alphabetically or browse groups of tools using one of four categories.
This now archived 320 page PDF provides a comprehensive overview of 75 improvement tools, theories and techniques for service improvement.
NHS Scotland's Education Website provides information and resources to support people with experience at all levels of quality improvement to develop their knowledge.
IEHSS seeks to enhance and develop capabilities for research, practice, improvement and innovation. Their knowlege centre provides resources to help you on your journey.
HQIP is an independent organisation which aims to improve health outcomes by enabling those who commission, deliver and receive healthcare to improve our healthcare services.
This international forum is a series of international conferences that inform and inspire healthcare practitioners and patients towards a better, safer and higher quality of care.
Life QI is a paid for interactive web platform which brings together tools, people and data to make improvement happen.
Recommended Books
You may find the following books useful in your quality improvement journey. We recommend using Bookshop.org as it supports independent bookshops and increases author royalties.
Some of the links below are affiliate links (like Amazon or Bookshop). This means that theCompleteMedic will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalise a purchase, at no extra cost to you. The income generated from commissions goes into the upkeep of this website.
The Improvement Guide
This book offers an integrated approach to process improvement that delivers quick and substantial results in quality and productivity in diverse settings. Use this as an outstanding reference book.
Click an icon below to purchase this book from your favourite store (affiliate links):
If Disney Ran Your Hospital
The 9 1/2 principles in this refreshingly written book will help any hospital team gain the extraordinary competitive advantage that comes from being seen as "the best" by their own employees and patients.
Click an icon below to purchase this book from your favourite store (affiliate links):
The Healthcare Data Guide
The Health Care Data Guide is designed to help students and professionals build a skill set specific to use data for improvement of health care processes and systems. Read this practical and step-by-step guide.
Click an icon below to purchase this book from your favourite store (affiliate links):
The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell explains and analyses the 'tipping point', that magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviour cross a threshold, tip and spread like wildfire.
Click an icon below to purchase this book from your favourite store (affiliate links):
Switch
Why do we insist on seeing the obstacles rather than the goal? This book tackles argues that we need only understand how our minds function in order to unlock shortcuts to switches in behaviour.
Click an icon below to purchase this book from your favourite store (affiliate links):
The Checklist Manifesto
The volume and complexity of our knowledge has exceeded our ability to consistently deliver results. This book shows how the simplest of ideas could transform how we operate in almost any field.
Click an icon below to purchase this book from your favourite store (affiliate links):