To evaluate your program, many evaluators use a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) or Quality Improvement (QI) approach. This intentional approach leads to measurable improvements while improving the planning, implementation, and evaluation of your program. No matter which CQI or QI framework you use, each framework appears in a circle to show how you continuously work on improving the quality of your program. The benefits include:
Making adjustments to move closer to your goals and outcomes. The Plan-Do-Study-Act framework provides one way to do quality improvement. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement offers a tool for documenting change. A helpful guide, which grantees of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) use, suggests ways to create the structure, process, and outcomes you hope to achieve.
Adapting to slow and/or rapid change. Quality improvement approaches work well in many situations, including the thoughtful work required for deep systems change and also the rapid changes thrust upon a program. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement further described the power of CQI during the global pandemic.
Keeping sustainability at the forefront. One of the key aspects of this approach is to monitor the aspects of program sustainability. CQI includes a sustainability planning process and a sustainable delivery system.
If you’re interested in Continuous Quality Improvement, contact us at info@acetinc.com. We offer a free initial consultation.