General Quality Improvement Research Articles

Vulnerable Elderly Surgical Patients: Is It the Time for Geriatric Emergency General Surgery Quality Improvement Program?

Vulnerable Elderly Surgical Patients: Is It the Time for Geriatric Emergency General Surgery Quality Improvement Program?

What works to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening? An evidence synthesis and economic analysis.

Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) is effective but uptake is suboptimal. To determine the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) interventions for DRS attendance; describe the interventions in terms of QI components and behaviour change techniques (BCTs); identify theoretical determinants of attendance; investigate coherence between BCTs identified in interventions and determinants of attendance; and determine the cost-effectiveness of QI components and BCTs for improving DRS. Phase 1 - systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions to increase DRS attendance (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and trials registers to February 2017) and coding intervention content to classify QI components and BCTs. Phase 2 - review of studies reporting factors influencing attendance, coded to theoretical domains (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and sources of grey literature to March 2016). Phase 3 - mapping BCTs (phase 1) to theoretical domains (phase 2) and an economic evaluation to determine the cost-effectiveness of BCTs or QI components. Phase 1 - 7277 studies were screened, of which 66 RCTs were included in the review. Interventions were multifaceted and targeted patients, health-care professionals (HCPs) or health-care systems. Overall, interventions increased DRS attendance by 12% [risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.14] compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS-targeted and general QI interventions were effective, particularly when baseline attendance levels were low. All commonly used QI components and BCTs were associated with significant improvements, particularly in those with poor attendance. Higher effect estimates were observed in subgroup analyses for the BCTs of 'goal setting (outcome, i.e. consequences)' (RD 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.36) and 'feedback on outcomes (consequences) of behaviour' (RD 0.22, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29) in interventions targeting patients and of 'restructuring the social environment' (RD 0.19, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.26) and 'credible source' (RD 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24) in interventions targeting HCPs. Phase 2 - 3457 studies were screened, of which 65 non-randomised studies were included in the review. The following theoretical domains were likely to influence attendance: 'environmental context and resources', 'social influences', 'knowledge', 'memory, attention and decision processes', 'beliefs about consequences' and 'emotions'. Phase 3 - mapping identified that interventions included BCTs targeting important barriers to/enablers of DRS attendance. However, BCTs targeting emotional factors around DRS were under-represented. QI components were unlikely to be cost-effective whereas BCTs with a high probability (≥ 0.975) of being cost-effective at a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY included 'goal-setting (outcome)', 'feedback on outcomes of behaviour', 'social support' and 'information about health consequences'. Cost-effectiveness increased when DRS attendance was lower and with longer screening intervals. Quality improvement/BCT coding was dependent on descriptions of intervention content in primary sources; methods for the identification of coherence of BCTs require improvement. Randomised controlled trial evidence indicates that QI interventions incorporating specific BCT components are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared with usual care. Interventions generally used appropriate BCTs that target important barriers to screening attendance, with a high probability of being cost-effective. Research is needed to optimise BCTs or BCT combinations that seek to improve DRS attendance at an acceptable cost. BCTs targeting emotional factors represent a missed opportunity to improve attendance and should be tested in future studies. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016044157 and PROSPERO CRD42016032990. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Variations in outcomes of emergency general surgery patients across hospitals: A call to establish emergency general surgery quality improvement program.

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and Trauma Quality Improvement Program have shown variations in risk-adjusted outcomes across hospitals. Our study hypothesis was that there would be similar variation in risk-adjusted outcomes of emergency general surgery (EGS) patients. We undertook a retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database for 2010. Patients with EGS diseases were identified using American Association for the Surgery of Trauma definitions. A hierarchical logistic regression model was used to model in-hospital mortality, accounting for patient characteristics, including age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance type, and comorbidities. Predicted-to-expected mortality ratios with 90% confidence intervals were used to identify hospitals as low mortality (ratio significantly lower than 1), high mortality (ratio significantly higher than 1), or average mortality (ratio overlapping 1). Nationwide, 2,640,725 patients with EGS diseases were treated at 943 hospitals in 2010. About one-sixth of the hospitals (139, 15%) were low mortality, a quarter were high mortality (221, 23%), and the rest were average mortality. Mortality ratio at low mortality hospitals was almost four times lower than that of high mortality hospitals (0.57 vs. 2.03, p < 0.0001). If high and average mortality hospitals performed at the same level as low mortality hospitals, we estimate 16,812 (55%) more deaths than expected. There are significant variations in risk-adjusted outcomes of EGS patients across hospitals, with several thousand higher than expected number of deaths nationwide. Based on the success of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and Trauma Quality Improvement Program, we recommend establishing EGS quality improvement program for risk-adjusted benchmarking of hospitals for EGS patients. Care management, level III.

Interventions to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening.

Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) in reducing the risk of sight loss, attendance for screening is consistently below recommended levels. The primary objective of the review was to assess the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) interventions that seek to increase attendance for DRS in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Secondary objectives were:To use validated taxonomies of QI intervention strategies and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to code the description of interventions in the included studies and determine whether interventions that include particular QI strategies or component BCTs are more effective in increasing screening attendance;To explore heterogeneity in effect size within and between studies to identify potential explanatory factors for variability in effect size;To explore differential effects in subgroups to provide information on how equity of screening attendance could be improved;To critically appraise and summarise current evidence on the resource use, costs and cost effectiveness. We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest Family Health, OpenGrey, the ISRCTN, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO ICTRP to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that were designed to improve attendance for DRS or were evaluating general quality improvement (QI) strategies for diabetes care and reported the effect of the intervention on DRS attendance. We searched the resources on 13 February 2017. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the searches. We included RCTs that compared any QI intervention to usual care or a more intensive (stepped) intervention versus a less intensive intervention. We coded the QI strategy using a modification of the taxonomy developed by Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) and BCTs using the BCT Taxonomy version 1 (BCTTv1). We used Place of residence, Race/ethnicity/culture/language, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, and Social capital (PROGRESS) elements to describe the characteristics of participants in the included studies that could have an impact on equity of access to health services.Two review authors independently extracted data. One review author entered the data into Review Manager 5 and a second review author checked them. Two review authors independently assessed risks of bias in the included studies and extracted data. We rated certainty of evidence using GRADE. We included 66 RCTs conducted predominantly (62%) in the USA. Overall we judged the trials to be at low or unclear risk of bias. QI strategies were multifaceted and targeted patients, healthcare professionals or healthcare systems. Fifty-six studies (329,164 participants) compared intervention versus usual care (median duration of follow-up 12 months). Overall, DRS attendance increased by 12% (risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.14; low-certainty evidence) compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS-targeted (RD 0.17, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.22) and general QI interventions (RD 0.12, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.15) were effective, particularly where baseline DRS attendance was low. All BCT combinations were associated with significant improvements, particularly in those with poor attendance. We found higher effect estimates in subgroup analyses for the BCTs 'goal setting (outcome)' (RD 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.36) and 'feedback on outcomes of behaviour' (RD 0.22, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29) in interventions targeting patients, and 'restructuring the social environment' (RD 0.19, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.26) and 'credible source' (RD 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24) in interventions targeting healthcare professionals.Ten studies (23,715 participants) compared a more intensive (stepped) intervention versus a less intensive intervention. In these studies DRS attendance increased by 5% (RD 0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.09; moderate-certainty evidence).Fourteen studies reporting any QI intervention compared to usual care included economic outcomes. However, only five of these were full economic evaluations. Overall, we found that there is insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions about the relative cost effectiveness of the interventions compared to each other or against usual care.With the exception of gender and ethnicity, the characteristics of participants were poorly described in terms of PROGRESS elements. Seventeen studies (25.8%) were conducted in disadvantaged populations. No studies were carried out in low- or middle-income countries. The results of this review provide evidence that QI interventions targeting patients, healthcare professionals or the healthcare system are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared to usual care. There was no statistically significant difference between interventions specifically aimed at DRS and those which were part of a general QI strategy for improving diabetes care. This is a significant finding, due to the additional benefits of general QI interventions in terms of improving glycaemic control, vascular risk management and screening for other microvascular complications. It is likely that further (but smaller) improvements in DRS attendance can also be achieved by increasing the intensity of a particular QI component or adding further components.

Interventions to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

PurposeStudy objectives were to: 1) determine the effectiveness of interventions to improve diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) attendance; 2) specify intervention content in terms of behaviour change techniques (BCTs); 3) determine whether interventions that included particular BCTs were more effective in increasing attendance.MethodsWe searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and clinical trials registers to February 2017 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that were designed to improve attendance for DRS or were evaluating general quality improvement (QI) strategies for diabetes care and reported the effect of the intervention on DRS attendance. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the searches. We identified and categorised component BCTs using an established BCT Taxonomy (BCTTv1).ResultsWe included 66 RCTs. QI interventions were multifaceted and targeted patients, healthcare professionals (HCPs) or healthcare systems. Overall, DRS attendance increased by 12% (risk difference (RD) 0.12 [95% CI 0.10‐0.14]) compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS‐targeted and general QI interventions were effective, particularly where baseline DRS attendance was low. All frequently identified BCTs were associated with significant improvements in attendance. Higher effect estimates were observed in sub‐group analyses for the BCTs ‘goal setting (outcome)’ (0.26 [0.16‐0.36]) and ‘feedback on outcomes of behaviour’ (RD 0.22 [0.15‐0.29]) in interventions targeting patients, and ‘restructuring the social environment’ (RD 0.19 [0.12‐0.26]) and ‘credible source’ (RD 0.16 [0.08‐0.24]) in interventions targeting HCPs.ConclusionsRCT evidence indicates that QI interventions incorporating specific BCT components are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared to usual care.

Temporal trends and hospital-level variation of inhospital cardiac arrest incidence and outcomes in the Veterans Health Administration

Despite significant attention to resuscitation care by hospitals, national data on trends in the incidence and survival of patients with inhospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are limited. To determine trends and hospital-level variation in the incidence and outcomes associated with IHCA. In exploratory analyses, we evaluated the relationship between hospital-level IHCA incidence and outcomes with general hospital-wide quality improvement activities. Retrospective cohort study of 2,205,123 hospitalizations at 101 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals between 2008 and 2012. Risk- and reliability-adjusted hospital-level IHCA incidence and survival to hospital discharge. A total of 8821 (0.40%) IHCA occurred between 2008 and 2012, with no significant change in risk-adjusted incidence over this time (P = .77). Hospital-level IHCA incidence varied substantially across facilities, with a median hospital incidence of 4.0 per 1000 hospitalizations and a range from 1.4 to 11.8 per 1000 hospitalizations. Overall, survival to discharge after IHCA was 31.2%. Risk-adjusted odds of survival increased over the study period (2012 vs 2008, OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.75) but survival varied substantially across facilities from 20.3% to 45.4%. General hospital quality improvement activities were inconsistently associated with IHCA incidence and survival. Within the VHA, the incidence and outcomes of IHCA showed important trends over time but varied substantially across hospitals with no consistent link to general hospital quality improvement activities. Identification of specific resuscitation practices at hospitals with low incidence and high survival of IHCA may guide further improvements for inhospital resuscitation.

Evolving Concepts of Patient-Centered Care and the Assessment of Patient Care Experiences: Optimism and Opposition.

In his seminal work on health care quality, Avedis Donabedian noted that patient satisfaction was a key indicator of health care quality, and in the 1970s and 1980s a great deal of research explored the determinants of patient satisfaction. Subsequently, attention shifted toward assessing care experiences, and there is now a large body of evidence related to the reliability and validity of survey-based assessments of care. As the use of such surveys has increased, so too have concerns about the validity and uses of such surveys. The available research, however, indicates that such surveys are reliable, valid, correlated across individuals and settings with other quality indicators, and predictive of better outcomes. Patient experiences are now routinely measured, and substantial effort is being devoted to providing high-quality patient-centered care. Providing patient-centered care need not divert resources away from other quality improvement efforts. Improving the infrastructure supporting certain aspects of care may have broad effects because system changes can influence multiple outcomes. Thus, rather than detract from general quality improvement efforts, making changes that facilitate patient-centered care may lead to broader improvements. There is good reason to be optimistic that our health care system will increasingly be "patient centered."

What's new in mechanical ventilation in patients without ARDS: lessons from the ARDS literature.

Introduction The incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) varies greatly across the world [1], and its impact on the outcome of critically ill patients remains significant [1]. The publication of the ARMA trial [2] demonstrated that a lung protective strategy of ventilation, using a tidal volume (VT) of 6 ml/kg predicted body weight (PBW), decreased mortality in patients with ARDS, and led to the widespread, albeit not universal, use of lung protective strategies in this group of patients. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of ARDS is decreasing [3, 4] and that this reduction is believed to be a result of advances in hospital practice and numerous quality improvement initiatives [4]. These advances included general quality improvement initiatives (i.e. infection control, timely antibiotics and resuscitation) and also specific critical care protocols such as the use of protective ventilation in critically ill patients without ARDS [5, 6]. Since the majority of the patients undergoing mechanical ventilation do not have ARDS, the number of studies focusing on strategies of ventilation in this group of patients has been increasing in recent years, both in surgical and non-surgical areas. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent evidence in mechanical ventilation in patients without ARDS.

Multicenter validation of American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system for acute colonic diverticulitis and its use for emergency general surgery quality improvement program.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) has developed a new grading system for uniform description of anatomic severity of emergency general surgery (EGS) diseases, ranging from Grade I (mild) to Grade V (severe). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of AAST grades for acute colonic diverticulitis with patient outcomes. A secondary purpose was to propose an EGS quality improvement program using risk-adjusted center outcomes, similar to National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and Trauma Quality Improvement Program methodologies. This was a retrospective study of 1,105 patients (one death) from 13 centers. At each center, two reviewers (blinded to each other's assignments) assigned AAST grades. Interrater reliability was measured using κ coefficient. Relationship between AAST grade and clinical events (complications, intensive care unit use, surgical intervention, and 30-day readmission) as well as length of stay was measured using regression analyses to control for age, comorbidities, and physiologic status at the time of admission. Final model was also used to calculate observed-to-expected (O-E) ratios for adverse outcomes (death, complications, readmissions) for each center. Median age was 54 years, 52% were males, 43% were minorities, and 22% required a surgical intervention. Almost two thirds had Grade I or II disease. There was a high level of agreement for grades between reviewers (κ = 0.81). Adverse events increased from 13% for Grade I, to 18% for Grade II, 28% for Grade III, 44% for Grade IV, and 50% for Grade V. Regression analysis showed that higher disease grades were independently associated with all clinical events and length of stay, after adjusting for age, comorbidities, and physiology. O-E ratios showed statistically insignificant variations in risk of death, complications, or readmissions. AAST grades for acute colonic diverticulitis are independently associated with clinical outcomes and resource use. EGS quality improvement program methodology that incorporates AAST grade, age, comorbidities, and physiologic status may be used for measuring quality of EGS care. High-quality EGS registries are essential for developing meaningful quality metrics. Prognostic study, level V.

An integrated general practice and pharmacy-based intervention to promote the use of appropriate preventive medications among individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk: protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are responsible for significant morbidity, premature mortality, and economic burden. Despite established evidence that supports the use of preventive medications among patients at high CVD risk, treatment gaps remain. Building on prior evidence and a theoretical framework, a complex intervention has been designed to address these gaps among high-risk, under-treated patients in the Australian primary care setting. This intervention comprises a general practice quality improvement tool incorporating clinical decision support and audit/feedback capabilities; availability of a range of CVD polypills (fixed-dose combinations of two blood pressure lowering agents, a statin ± aspirin) for prescription when appropriate; and access to a pharmacy-based program to support long-term medication adherence and lifestyle modification.MethodsFollowing a systematic development process, the intervention will be evaluated in a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial including 70 general practices for a median period of 18 months. The 35 general practices in the intervention group will work with a nominated partner pharmacy, whereas those in the control group will provide usual care without access to the intervention tools. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients at high CVD risk who were inadequately treated at baseline who achieve target blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at the study end. The outcomes will be analyzed using data from electronic medical records, utilizing a validated extraction tool. Detailed process and economic evaluations will also be performed.DiscussionThe study intends to establish evidence about an intervention that combines technological innovation with team collaboration between patients, pharmacists, and general practitioners (GPs) for CVD prevention.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000233426

Confessions of a Square Peg

Confessions of a Square Peg

Surveyors' perceptions of the impact of accreditation on patient safety in general practice.

To explore Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) surveyors' perceptions of the impact of accreditation on patient safety and to elicit suggestions for improving patient safety in Australian general practices. We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with a purposive national sample of 10 AGPAL surveyors from 2 July to 14 December 2012. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and summarised. All participants agreed that accreditation has improved general practices' performance in quality and safety. Participants noted specific areas that need further attention, including sufficient evidence for clinical risk management, which half the participants estimated occurs in about 5%-10% of Australian general practices. Tangible evidence of patient safety activities included having a significant incidents register, providing documentation of near misses, slips, lapses or mistakes, and engaging in regular clinical meetings to discuss incidents and how to avoid them in the future. Participants agreed that the accreditation process could be improved through the inclusion of tighter clinical safety indicators and the requirement of verifiable evidence of a working clinical risk management system. Accreditation has had a positive role in improving quality and safety in general practice. The inclusion of tighter indicators that require verifiable evidence will be a step forward. The Australian Primary Care Collaboratives (APCC) Program has an opportunity to build on its previous success in general practice quality improvement to further enhance patient safety in general practice.

Evaluating the success of educational policy in Mexican Higher Education

State support in higher education (HE) is often justified on the grounds that HE is important for the development of the country. However, little analysis is normally done in order to assess the impact of education quality initiatives. The Mexican government has been engaging in a policy of HE quality improvement that can be traced to 1989. In this paper we use data from the period 2007–2010, when the various quality programmes were in action, in order to see if, on the basis of public information, it is possible to trace their impact on Federal, State, and Private Universities in Mexico. The technical approach is based on Multivariate Statistical Analysis, particularly in Ordinal Multidimensional Scaling. It was found that, during the period studied, the performance indicators used in this study show a general quality improvement in Mexican HE, and that this improvement has extended to both the State and the Private sectors. Whether this improvement is just in the data or it is real, we cannot say using published data.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATIONAL QUALITY: Challenges, Prospects in Ethiopian Context

he major purpose of this project was to assess and review the principal role of ICT in supplementing the General Quality Improvement program (GEQIP) in Western Harerghe, Ethiopia. The project also further analyzed the contribution of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to the indicators of GEQIP like quality, equity, access and internal efficiency. Challenges and prospects in ICT adoption to educational system was also area of focus in the project. Enabling Policy conditions availability in the GEQIP document to implement ICT for educational quality improvement was also assessed. To investigate the above issue, relevant data were collected from secondary data sources like previous studies, journals, government reports websites, books and other related were used. From the history and philosophical ground of education and its aids in the country, if it is applied properly, ICTs have a positive impact on attaining GEQIP target in the Western Hararghe, Ethiopia. The status of GEQIP implementations supported by ICT in the area in relation to regional wise was pointed out in some parameters. The SWOT analysis of ICT application was briefed in relation to the area. Especially, the key challenges in ICT adoption to supplement GEQIP target was listed like infrastructure, capacity building, language and contents, cost effectiveness and sustainability. Finally, the project concluded that ICTs have a great role and relevance to GEQIP target. However, the ICT materials like plasma-TV, internet laboratory, computers and specialized libraries for ICT lessons are not available or insignificant to students’ number and need. The institutional readiness in capacity building and skilled manpower is also not promising currently in relation to high skill gap in the project site. It recommends that filling the skill gap both in technical and political commitment, Stakeholders’ involvement and capacitating ICT with fund. It also recommends that the policy makers should revise the ICT lesson in the educational system.

Factors Influencing the Increasing Disparity in LDL Cholesterol Control Between White and Black Patients With Diabetes in a Context of Active Quality Improvement

After implementing a multifaceted physician-directed quality improvement (QI) initiative, an increased disparity in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol control between white and black diabetes patients was observed. To examine possible causes, a retrospective analysis of 962 black and white patients treated continuously between 2008 and 2010 was performed. At baseline, 55.0% of whites and 49.8% of blacks were controlled (5.2% disparity). The disparity increased, with 61.8% of whites and 44.6% of blacks having control in 2010 (17.2% disparity). Among patients uncontrolled at baseline, blacks were less likely to become controlled. Among patients controlled at baseline, blacks were less likely to remain controlled; accounting for patient characteristics and changes in lipid-lowering drug prescription regimens did not attenuate these relationships. Physician-facing, general QI interventions may be insufficient to produce equity in LDL cholesterol control. Helping patients maintain prior success controlling cholesterol appears as important in addressing this disparity as is helping uncontrolled patients achieve control.

A Comprehensive Model to Build Improvement Capability in a Pediatric Academic Medical Center

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center developed a comprehensive model to build quality improvement (QI) capability to support its goal to transform its delivery system through a series of training courses. Two online modules orient staff to basic concepts and terminology and prepare them to participate more effectively in QI teams. The basic program (Rapid Cycle Improvement Collaborative, RCIC) is focused on developing the capability to use basic QI tools and complete a narrow-scoped project in approximately 120 days. The Intermediate Improvement Science Series (I2S2) program is a leadership course focusing on improvement skills and developing a broader and deeper understanding of QI in the context of the organization and external environment. The Advanced Improvement Methods (AIM) course and Quality Scholars Program stimulate the use of more sophisticated methods and prepare Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) and external faculty to undertake QI research. The Advanced Improvement Leadership Systems (AILS) sessions enable interprofessional care delivery system leadership teams to effectively lead a system of care, manage a portfolio of projects, and to deliver on CCHMC’s strategic plan. Implementing these programs has shown us that 1) a multilevel curricular approach to building improvement capability is pragmatic and effective, 2) an interprofessional learning environment is critical to shifting mental models, 3) repetition of project experience with coaching and feedback solidifies critical skills, knowledge and behaviors, and 4) focusing first on developing capable interprofessional improvement leaders, versus engaging in broad general QI training across the whole organization, is effective.

National Survey of Hospital Strategies to Reduce Heart Failure Readmissions

Background— Reducing 30-day heart failure readmission rates is a national priority. Yet, little is known about how hospitals address the problem and whether hospital-based processes of care are associated with reductions in readmission rates. Methods and Results— We surveyed 100 randomly selected hospitals participating in the Get With the Guidelines-Heart Failure quality improvement program regarding common processes of care aimed at reducing readmissions. We grouped processes into 3 domains (ie, inpatient care, discharge and transitional care, and general quality improvement) and scored hospitals on the basis of survey responses using processes selected a priori. We used linear regression to examine associations between these domain scores and 30-day risk-standardized readmission rates. Of the 100 participating sites, 28% were academic centers and 64% were community hospitals. The median readmission rate among participating sites (24.0%; 95% CI, 22.6%–25.7%) was comparable with the national average (24.6%; 23.5–25.9). Sites varied substantially in care processes used for inpatient care, education, discharge process, care transitions, and quality improvement. Overall, neither inpatient care nor general quality improvement domains were associated with 30-day readmission rates. Hospitals in the lowest readmission rate quartile had modestly higher discharge and transitional care domain scores ( P =0.03). Conclusions— A variety of strategies are used by hospitals in an attempt to improve 30-day readmission rates for patients hospitalized with heart failure. Although more complete discharge and transitional care processes may be modestly associated with lower 30-day readmission rates, most current strategies are not associated with lower readmission rates.

Can Hospital Cultural Competency Reduce Disparities in Patient Experiences With Care?

Cultural competency has been espoused as an organizational strategy to reduce health disparities in care. To examine the relationship between hospital cultural competency and inpatient experiences with care. The first model predicted Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores from hospital random effects, plus fixed effects for hospital cultural competency, individual race/ethnicity/language, and case-mix variables. The second model tested if the association between a hospital's cultural competency and HCAHPS scores differed for minority and non-Hispanic white patients. The National CAHPS Benchmarking Database's (NCBD) HCAHPS Surveys and the Cultural Competency Assessment Tool of Hospitals Surveys for California hospitals were merged, resulting in 66 hospitals and 19,583 HCAHPS respondents in 2006. Dependent variables include 10 HCAHPS measures: 6 composites (communication with doctors, communication with nurses, staff responsiveness, pain control, communication about medications, and discharge information), 2 individual items (cleanliness and quietness of patient rooms), and 2 global items (overall hospital rating, and whether patient would recommend hospital). Hospitals with greater cultural competency have better HCAHPS scores for doctor communication, hospital rating, and hospital recommendation. Furthermore, HCAHPS scores for minorities were higher at hospitals with greater cultural competency on 4 other dimensions: nurse communication, staff responsiveness, quiet room, and pain control. Greater hospital cultural competency may improve overall patient experiences, but may particularly benefit minorities in their interactions with nurses and hospital staff. Such effort may not only serve longstanding goals of reducing racial/ethnic disparities in inpatient experience, but may also contribute to general quality improvement.

Audit tool for external beam radiation therapy departments

PurposeDevelopment of a self-contained audit tool for external beam radiation therapy to assess compliance with the major recommendations from professional organizations and generally accepted standards of practice. Intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and volumetric modulated arc therapy were included in this review. Methods and MaterialsA physics quality working group developed a department vision, distinguished and summarized key references, and condensed important elements of good documentation practices. The results were then compiled in a checklist format and used to perform audits at 3 sites. ResultsThe final audit tool contains 65 items spanning a wide range of external beam radiation therapy practices. Several of the audit items address issues not commonly identified by other authoritative sources. A total of 48 process improvements were identified at the 3 sites audited. ConclusionsThe enclosed self-inspection list may be useful to a site as an annual review tool, as an aid in preparation for the American College of Radiology-American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology practice accreditation, or as a catalyst for general quality improvement. Sites can quickly identify opportunities for improvement by concentrating on high importance items and commonly identified areas of noncompliance.

Room for improvement? Leadership, innovation culture and uptake of quality improvement methods in general practice

Leadership and innovation are currently seen as essential elements for the development and maintenance of high-quality care. Little is known about the relationship between leadership and culture of innovation and the extent to which quality improvement methods are used in general practice. This study aimed to assess the relationship between leadership behaviour, culture of innovation and adoption of quality improvement methods in general practice. Self-administered postal questionnaires were sent to general practitioner quality improvement leads in one county in the UK between June and December 2007. The questionnaire consisted of background information, a 12-item scale to assess leadership behaviour, a seven-dimension self-rating scale for culture of innovation and questions on current use of quality improvement tools and techniques. Sixty-three completed questionnaires (62%) were returned. Leadership behaviours were not commonly reported. Most practices reported a positive culture of innovation, featuring relationship most strongly, followed by targets and information but rated lower on other dimensions of rewards, risk and resources. There was a significant positive correlation between leadership behaviour and the culture of innovation (r = 0.57; P < 0.001). Apart from clinical audit and significant event analysis, quality improvement methods were not adopted by most participating practices. Leadership behaviours were infrequently reported and this was associated with a limited culture of innovation in participating general practices. There was little use of quality improvement methods beyond clinical and significant event audit. Practices need support to enhance leadership skills, encourage innovation and develop quality improvement skills if improvements in health care are to accelerate.