Performance Improvement - Module Overview

Performance Improvement: Accountability is Easy if You Know What to Do

Module Introduction

Performance Improvement is the continuous study and adaptation of the functions and processes of a healthcare organization to increase the probability of achieving desired outcomes and to better meet the needs of patients. It is a key component of total quality management that uses rigorous, systematic, organization-wide processes to achieve ongoing improvement in the quality of healthcare services and operations. It focuses on both outcomes and processes of care.

Over the next 3 weeks, you will learn more about systematic approaches and tools that can be used to analyze organization performance, problems, and improvement strategies. You will apply your new knowledge to improve a personal health goal. 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Compare continuous improvement models.
  2. Apply performance improvement tools to analyze a problem and develop an improvement plan. 
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the performance improvement project.

Course Materials

Reading Readings

Required Readings

Chapters 5, 6, & 7 from Spath PL. (2018) Introduction to Healthcare Quality, 3rd Ed. Health Administration Press: Chicago, IL. 

Web Resources Web Activity

Download the QI Essentials Toolkit

  1. View IHI On Demand videos:

An Introduction to the Model for Improvement.

WIHI: Seven Popular Improvement Tools: How and When to use them.