Quality Improvement, or QI, is about improving outcomes and experience for patients, families, providers, volunteers and staff. Everyone at Island Health has a role to play in QI, and can make a difference.
Identifying opportunities for improvement and introducing change can be complex. The application of QI methodology helps break down that complexity and put ideas into action with a systematic approach. QI engages systems, outcomes, processes, and people in systematically checking to see what's working and what's not, then helps us improve based on what we've learned.
The Strategic Quality Improvement (SQI) team is striving to create a culture of improvement throughout the organization, so that all staff have the education and tools they need to identify and make positive changes in their work. We will be providing a series of brief QI articles, which we hope will help you to improve your understanding of QI, and increase your confidence in bravely sharing ideas and identifying ways that we can improve the lives of our patients, their families, providers, volunteers and staff.
Reflect: Consider some of the processes you use every day (ie. getting the kids ready for school, getting to work). Are there things that seem more difficult than they should? Write them down. Stay tuned on this series as we teach you how you can analyze and improve those processes with a QI approach.
The Strategic Quality Improvement (SQI) Team
Our team aims to improve patient care and outcomes using QI methodology and tools, supporting daily learning and aligning with Island Health's strategic priorities.
Clinical Governance and QI Support
QI Specialists support C.A.R.E. Networks and Local Levels structures, supporting the prioritization, development and implementation of QI initiatives, including Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs). They also offer QI coaching, at-the-elbow support and training.
If you're excited to learn more about QI, check out the short, engaging “Quality Improvement in Healthcare" video on the SQI Intranet Page.