Quality Improvement Methods: PDSA, Lean and Clinical Audit
Run a small improvement project properly, from problem statement to sustained change.
Program overview
Most clinical staff are asked to improve something without ever being taught how. This course provides the method: writing an aim statement that is specific and measurable, mapping the process as it actually runs, choosing measures that will detect change, running PDSA cycles at a sensible scale, and reading a run chart honestly. It also covers clinical audit as a distinct activity with its own standards-based logic, and the Lean concepts that transfer usefully to healthcare. A survey of Saudi senior residents found 74.8% wanted formal training in this and 68.8% were unaware any existed.
Why this program
A complete method, small enough to actually run
Measures and run charts taught properly
Clinical audit distinguished from improvement
Sustainability treated as part of the method
Who it is for
Program objectives
- Write an improvement aim that is specific, measurable and time-bound
- Map a clinical process as it is actually performed
- Select outcome, process and balancing measures for a project
- Design and run a PDSA cycle at an appropriate scale
- Interpret a run chart and distinguish signal from noise
- Distinguish clinical audit from quality improvement and apply each appropriately
Learning outcomes
- Construct an aim statement for a described improvement problem
- Select appropriate outcome, process and balancing measures
- Design a first PDSA cycle proportionate to a stated problem
- Interpret a run chart for evidence of genuine change
- Differentiate audit against a standard from iterative improvement
- Plan the actions required to sustain an achieved improvement
Curriculum
Module 1: Framing the Problem
1 lessonsFraming the ProblemPreview
From complaint to measurable aim statement.
Module 2: Understanding the Process
1 lessons- Understanding the Process
Module 3: Choosing Measures
1 lessons- Choosing Measures
Module 4: PDSA in Practice
1 lessons- PDSA in Practice
Module 5: Run Charts and Interpretation
1 lessons- Run Charts and Interpretation
Module 6: Clinical Audit and Sustaining Change
1 lessons- Clinical Audit and Sustaining Change
Duration and structure
6 lessons across 6 modules. Duration is expressed in study hours.
What you receive
This certificate confirms completion of Quality Improvement Methods: PDSA, Lean and Clinical Audit. Duration is expressed in study hours.
Delivery format
- Self-paced — start any time.
- Study on any device.
- Lifetime access to the version you enrolled in.