Quality Performance Indicators Research Articles

Resource-based view on safety culture's influence on hospital performance: The moderating role of electronic health record implementation.

Patient safety and safety culture have received increasing attention from agencies such as the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality and the Institute of Medicine. Safety culture refers to the fundamental values, attitudes, and perceptions that provide a unique source of competitive advantage to improve performance. This study contributes to the literature and expands understanding of safety culture and hospital performance outcomes when considering electronic health record (EHR) usage. Based on the resource-based view of the firm, this study examined the association between safety culture and hospital quality and financial performance in the presence of EHR. Data consist of the 2016 Hospital Survey on Patient Safety, Hospital Compare, American Hospital Association's annual survey, and the American Hospital Association's Information Technology supplement. Our final analytic sample consisted of 154 hospitals. We used a two-part nested regression model approach. Safety culture has a direct positive relationship with financial performance (operating margin). Furthermore, having basic EHR as compared to not having EHR further enhances this positive relationship. On the other hand, safety culture does not have a direct association with quality performance (readmissions) in most cases. However, safety culture coupled with basic EHR functionalities, compared to not having EHR, is associated with lower readmissions. Hospitals should strive to improve patient safety culture as part of their strategic plan for quality improvement. In addition, hospital managers should consider implementing EHR as a resource that can support safety culture's effect on outcomes such as financial and quality performance indicators. Future studies can examine the differences between basic and advanced EHR presence in relation to safety culture.

Integration of farmers’ knowledge and science-based assessment of soil quality for peri-urban vegetable production in Ghana

AbstractThis study, based on vegetable production fields, combined soil quality assessed by three approaches (qualitatively by farmers, semi-quantitatively by a researcher and quantitatively by laboratory analyses) with the aim of improving the integration of the different approaches. We interviewed 79 peri-urban vegetable growers in two communities within the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. Eight of the farmers were selected to participate in the farmer-based assessment of soil quality. Further, visual evaluation of soil quality was conducted by the researcher, followed by laboratory analyses of soil properties to corroborate the farmers’ assessment of good and poor soils in their fields. Results showed that the farmers used locally-defined characteristics to describe the physical, biological and crop performance indicators of soil quality. There was, in general, limited use and understanding of soil chemical properties as indicators of soil quality. The farmers’ perception on soil quality of their fields largely influenced their decision on the type of crops they cultivate, and application regimes of mineral fertilizers. Results from the visual evaluation by the researcher agreed in some respects with the farmers’ assessment of soil quality of the good and poor soils in their respective farms. Laboratory analyses did not show specific trends for the content of chemical properties for neither good nor poor soils. The study highlighted that none of the approaches of soil quality assessment is necessarily superior in and of itself. We emphasized the need for integration to capitalize on the strengths of each approach, enhance mutual learning between farmers and soil scientists, build the capacity of farmers, and improve their decision on soil use for agricultural production.

Complexity Analysis Approach for Prefabricated Construction Products Using Uncertain Data Clustering

This paper proposes an uncertain data clustering approach to quantitatively analyze the complexity of prefabricated construction components through the integration of quality performance-based measures with associated engineering design information. The proposed model is constructed in three steps, which (1) measure prefabricated construction product complexity (hereafter referred to as product complexity) by introducing a Bayesian-based nonconforming quality performance indicator; (2) score each type of product complexity by developing a Hellinger distance-based distribution similarity measurement; and (3) cluster products into homogeneous complexity groups by using the agglomerative hierarchical clustering technique. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the proposed approach, and a case study of an industrial company in Edmonton, Canada, is conducted to validate the feasibility and applicability of the proposed model. This research inventively defines and investigates product complexity from the perspective of product quality performance with design information associated. The research outcomes provide simplified, interpretable, and informative insights for practitioners to better analyze and manage product complexity. In addition to this practical contribution, a novel hierarchical clustering technique is devised. This technique is capable of clustering uncertain data (i.e., beta distributions) with lower computational complexity and has the potential to be generalized to cluster all types of uncertain data.

An audit cycle assessing the impact of adding a geriatrician to the surgical team - focusing on the impact on NELA performance and NCEPOD quality indicators

An audit cycle assessing the impact of adding a geriatrician to the surgical team - focusing on the impact on NELA performance and NCEPOD quality indicators

Logistic Performance Measurement on a Port in Aceh

Indonesia government has established sea toll program through Presidential Regulation No.17 in 2017 to support inter-island distribution. Port X in Aceh is one of the ports included in sea toll program. This paper discusses logistic performance m.easure, especially in sea transportation. A Logistic Performance Index (LPI) is proposed as a tool to identify challenges and opportunities in Port X performance. Key indicators which affect the value of logistics performance index will also be studied in this paper. There are several logistic performance measurements for port X based on literature study: quality, delivery cost, transportation cost, and information. Eight indicators affect Port X performance: quality of the commodity, the quantity of the commodity, on time delivery, ship call, sea transportation cost, storage cost, electronic availability, and electronic access. Port X average total index, based on Analytical Hierarchy Process, is 2,557. This value can be considered as quite reasonable. The study limits logistic performance for the arrival route of the container vessel leading to Port X. The final result shows that quality performance indicator (quality quantity of commodity index) has the highest index for all originating port. The second highest index is electronic information availability index. Through this finding, Port X must improve their service and information because it plays a vital role in their performance

Comportamiento de indicadores de calidad en Instituciones Prestadoras de Servicios de Salud. Montería, 2015

Objetivo. Determinar el comportamiento de los indicadores de calidad en Instituciones Prestadoras de Servicios de Salud (IPS) de segundo y tercer nivel de atención, en la ciudad de Montería. Metodología. Estudio descriptivo cuantitativo, se realizó análisis retrospectivo del comportamiento de los resultados de una serie de indicadores de calidad. La información se obtuvo de la Base de datos de indicadores de calidad en salud del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social. La población y muestra fue de 13 IPS de segundo y tercer nivel de atención, que reportaron información ante el Ministerio de Salud y de la Protección Social, el estudio se realizó en el año 2015; sin embargo, se encontraron datos hasta el año 2013, por lo tanto, se recolectó información de los tres últimos períodos (2011 -2013). Resultados. El 57% de los reportes corresponden a IPS de tercer nivel. La tasa de reingresos de pacientes hospitalizados, fue de 5,06 X 100; la mortalidad intrahospitalaria después de 48 horas fue de 6,8 x 1000, el promedio de infecciones asociadas a la atención fue de 7,5 por cada 100 pacientes hospitalizados, la gestión de los eventos adversos obtuvo un promedio de 84%, además se evidenció la falta de reporte de datos por parte de algunas IPS. Conclusiones. Las IPS deben establecer mecanismos, que garanticen el análisis de indicadores lo más cercano al tiempo real, para tomar decisiones oportunas. La medición de indicadores de calidad, permitirá un mejor monitoreo a los entes de control.

Implementing large-scale construction projects through application of the systematic and integrated method

Dynamic development of the construction manufacturing and technology industry requires new strategies based on integrated solutions for consolidated tasks and objectives. A large-scale construction project technology is a complex integrated process with a great number of interrelated parties involved. This process is associated with links and factors of various nature and frequency that introduce significant changes in the technology resulting in violations of the set pace. The main features of a systemically important large-scale construction project can be optimized through identification of destabilizing factors and formalization of links within the project with due regard for an integrated approach to production processes. The current situation calls for integrated tackling of construction projects with a view to minimize labor costs and contingencies and, accordingly, to improve the key performance indicators, including, but not limited to, a reduced duration of construction, an enhanced quality, and a higher reliability and lower costs of works. This article deals with various lines of research for an initial stage of development of the concept of a systematic and integrated method of implementation of large-scale construction projects. Depending on the problem to be solved, research may be focused on combination of associated production processes; formation of integrated production crews and teams; identification of a reliability factor of a structural subdivision; reallocation of manpower following changes in skills; improved performance quality indicators of integrated production crews and teams. This research needs to be described with the use of mathematical tools formalizing a systematic and integrated method. Consistent and predictable results can be achieved more efficiently and successfully if activities are concerted and all processes are interrelated and oriented on a shared objective.

Higher rate of therapeutic mammoplasty and its impact on immediate breast reconstruction and quality performance indicators

Introduction: Scottish breast cancer quality performance indicators set a target of 25% for immediate breast reconstruction in patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer. There may be good reasons for individual patients not to undergo immediate reconstruction but this indicator is intended to demonstrate that they have access to a reconstructive service. The aim of this study is to review this group of breast cancer patients.

Value creation via supply chain risk management in global fashion organizations outsourcing production to China

PurposeThe increased complexity of global supply chains and its inherent risk requires the re-evaluation of the SCRM discipline as a source of value creation for shareholders. This paper aims to unveil the areas that require more focus considering the point of view of Chinese manufacturers, and following a social constructivist approach oriented to fashion organizations outsourcing to China, unveil the elements driving the point of SCRM strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe authors studied the existing body of knowledge related to SCRM and developed a model to quantify the influence of macro and micro risk factors to the different operations performance indicators. This model was used in a survey to 61 Chinese manufacturers of fashion products, while at the same time, an interview to 20 members of the SC group of fashion companies around the globe was conducted to understand the qualitative and quantitative elements shaping their SCRM initiatives.FindingsThe study shows that, while supply, manufacturing and demand risk remain as the main factors hindering value creation in the industry, the addition of the manufacturer’s perspective proves that other elements that are less evident to the customer, such as macro-social and micro-infrastructure (transportation, financial and information), require more attention. Additionally, it was noted that the influence of the different risk factors is different for the different performance indicators of quality, speed, cost, dependability and flexibility. Finally, it shows that current SCRM programs tend to be simplified methods of trial and error, fed with incomplete KPIs, shaped by the experience and priorities of dominant stakeholders and prompt to potential agency costs and focused on the short term.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus on the fashion industry led to relatively small sample sizes for surveys and interviews. Although some patterns are identified, studies with larger sample sizes could facilitate the statistical analysis of unique characteristics in the different sub-groups. Additionally, the use of cross-sectional research designs that include survey techniques has the limitation of not explaining processes over time. Future reference to this work can be complemented with a new study to unveil the latest priorities.Practical implicationsThis study shows that, to create value, fashion organizations first need to determine the operational elements that create value for them and then focus their limited resources on the risk elements that have proved more influence. The authors offer a systematic framework to measure the risk associated with global outsourcing; it can be used by organizations outsourcing globally to make strategic decisions, including potential outsourcing locations, to allocate resources across categories and to evaluate changes over time. Finally, the interview with SC practitioners shows that, to advance toward its objective of value creation, the SCRM discipline requires cross-collaboration and a holistic approach supported by more systematic processes that can reduce bias and potential agency costs.Originality/valueThis study offers insights about contemporary factors affecting the value creation function for fashion organizations outsourcing production to China and a more holistic approach vs other studies by including: a wider and more relevant categorization of risk factors, the perspective of Chinese manufacturers and the view of SC practitioners around the world. This study also develops a model to explain the cycle of SCRM in fashion organizations and the most common traps hindering its execution.

Assessment of health care, hospital admissions, and mortality by ethnicity: population-based cohort study of health-system performance in Scotland

SummaryBackgroundEthnic minorities often experience barriers to health care. We studied six established quality indicators of health-system performance across ethnic groups in Scotland.MethodsIn this population-based cohort study, we linked ethnicity from Scotland's Census 2001 (April 29, 2001) to hospital admissions and mortality records, with follow-up until April 30, 2013. Indicators of health-system performance included amenable deaths (ie, deaths avertable by effective treatment), preventable deaths (ie, deaths avertable by public health policy), avoidable deaths (combined amenable and preventable deaths), avoidable hospital admissions, unplanned readmissions, and length of stay. We calculated rate ratios and odds ratios (with 95% CIs) using Poisson and logistic regression, which we multiplied by 100, adjusting first for age-related covariates and then for socioeconomic-related and birthplace-related covariates. The white Scottish population was the reference (rate ratio [RR] 100).FindingsThe results are based on 4·61 million people. During the 50·5 million person-years of study, 1·17 million avoidable hospital admissions, 587 740 unplanned readmissions, and 166 245 avoidable deaths occurred. South Asian groups had higher avoidable hospital admissions than the white Scottish group, with the highest reported RRs in Pakistani groups (RR 140·6 [95% CI 131·9–150·0] in men; RR 141·0 [129·0–154·1] in women). There was little variation between ethnic groups in length of stay or unplanned readmission. Preventable and amenable mortality were higher in the white Scottish group than several ethnic minorities including other white British, other white, Indian, and Chinese groups. Such differences were partly diminished by adjustment for socioeconomic status, whereas adjustment for country of birth had little additional effect.InterpretationThese data suggest concerns about the access to and quality of primary care to prevent avoidable hospital admissions, especially for south Asians. Relatively high preventable and amenable deaths in white Scottish people, compared with several ethnic minority populations, were unexpected. Future studies should both corroborate and examine explanations for these patterns. Studies using several indicators simultaneously are also required internationally.FundingChief Scientist's Office, Medical Research Council, NHS Research Scotland, Farr Institute.

Entrepreneurial universities and regional contribution

For the past few decades, higher education institutions (HEIs) have been evolving into full-fledged managerial entities preoccupied with generating profits and creating an economic impact on local, regional and national scales. Taking cues from the international trend, numerous political initiatives in Russia have emphasized government support for innovative and entrepreneurial activities at regional universities. This study attempts to define the dimensions of entrepreneurial universities and determine to what extent this definition is applicable to the regional context in Russia. Using data from HEIs’ efficiency monitoring conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Science of Russian Federation, we analyze the scientific and research productivity metrics and the funding structure of 20 universities located in the Saint Petersburg region, and we investigate the entrepreneurial activities undertaken by different types of universities. While policymakers and universities tend to employ mostly quantitative quality performance indicators (QPIs) to capture scientific productivity and commercial outcomes, the findings suggest that the regionalized impact of universities extends far beyond technology transfer and tangible outputs (in terms of human capital attraction and detention, formation of entrepreneurship capital, informal networks, new ideas, etc.). This study furthers the knowledge about the heterogeneous nature of entrepreneurialism at Russian universities and provides useful insights for policymaking and managerial practice. The transformation of a university into a local entrepreneurial fulcrum demands massive government funding during the initial stages and coordinated policy measures to foster the innovative activities of the university without compromising its traditional teaching and research functions.

Operating Cycle Performance, Lost Periodicity, and Waveform Distortion of Switch-Mode Power Supplies

This paper investigates the performance of switch-mode power supplies used in desktop PCs (PC-SMPS’) across the entire range of operating powers. Experimental results show that at low to medium operating powers, the input ac current might lose its periodicity with supply voltage frequency, when PCS-MPS’ can be an unexpected source of interharmonics and dc component. In such cases, there is a significant increase of PC-SMPS’ current waveform distortion and a substantial decrease of efficiency and operational power factors, which requires application of appropriate measurement and calculation procedures during the analysis. To correctly assess these power-dependent changes in performance and power quality indicators, this paper introduces a novel testing and evaluation methodology, based on the known or assumed PC-SMPS operating cycle.

Indexing the Environmental Quality Performance Based on A Fuzzy Inference Approach

Environmental performance strongly deals with the quality of human life. In Indonesia, this performance is quantified through Environmental Quality Index (EQI) which consists of three indicators, i.e. river quality index, air quality index, and coverage of land cover. The current of this instrument data processing was done by averaging and weighting each index to represent the EQI at the provincial level. However, we found EQI interpretations that may contain some uncertainties and have a range of circumstances possibly less appropriate if processed under a common statistical approach. In this research, we aim to manage the indicators of EQI with a more intuitive computation technique and make some inferences related to the environmental performance in 33 provinces in Indonesia. Research was conducted in three stages of Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System (MAFIS), i.e. fuzzification, data inference, and defuzzification. Data input consists of 10 environmental parameters and the output is an index of Environmental Quality Performance (EQP). Research was applied to the environmental condition data set in 2015 and quantified the results into the scale of 0 to 100, i.e. 10 provinces at good performance with the EQP above 80 dominated by provinces in eastern part of Indonesia, 22 provinces with the EQP between 80 to 50, and one province in Java Island with the EQP below 20. This research shows that environmental quality performance can be quantified without eliminating the natures of the data set and simultaneously is able to show the environment behavior along with its spatial pattern distribution.

An integrated machine learning framework for hospital readmission prediction

Unplanned readmission (re-hospitalization) is the main source of cost for healthcare systems and is normally considered as an indicator of healthcare quality and hospital performance. Poor understanding of the relative importance of predictors and limited capacity of traditional statistical models challenge the development of accurate predictive models for readmission. This study aims to develop a robust and accurate risk prediction framework for hospital readmission, by combining feature selection algorithms and machine learning models. With regard to feature selection, an enhanced version of multi-objective bare-bones particle swarm optimization (EMOBPSO) is developed as the principal search strategy, and a new mutual information-based criterion is proposed to efficiently estimate feature relevancy and redundancy. A greedy local search strategy (GLS) is developed and merged into EMOBPSO to control the final feature subset size as desired. For the modeling process, manifold machine learning models, such as support vector machine, random forest, and deep neural network, are trained with preprocessed datasets and corresponding feature subsets. In the case study, the proposed methodology is applied to an actual hospital located in Northeast China, with various levels of data collected from the hospital information system. Results obtained from comparative experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of EMOBPSO and EMOBPSO-GLS feature selection algorithms. The combination of EMOBPSO (EMOBPSO-GLS) and deep neural network possesses robust predictive power among different datasets. Furthermore, insightful implications are abstracted from the obtained elite features and can be used by practitioners to determine the vulnerable patients for readmission and target the delivery of early resource-intensive interventions.

Importance of Holistic Approach of Assembly Production Transformation in Manufacturing with Value Stream Mapping

In the current world, the business faces different challenges, as it was in the 1950th. Today, most of the manufacturing companies have a very strict approach to increasing market needs of Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost key performance indicators (KPI). To stay competitive, it is needed, that a holistic approach on the improvement of strategic KPIs is needed in order to be successful. The target of this paper is to show the application of the Value stream mapping methodology, used in a case study for a finish good assembly line in an Electronic Manufacturing Facility. The study is showing the improvement of quality, delivery and productivity KPIs over a time period of 3 consecutive years. The result is the increase of production output from 500 pcs/shift to 1050 pcs/shift, decreasing the number of quality returns from 3 to 0 and improving the delivery performance from 95 to 100% against customer requested date.

Trends in the performance of quality indicators for diabetes care in the community and in diabetes-related health status: an Israeli ecological study

BackgroundIsrael is one of the few countries that have a national program for quality assessment of community healthcare. We aimed to evaluate whether improved performance in diabetes care was associated with improved health of diabetic patients on a national level.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide ecological study estimating improvements in diabetes-related quality indicators and health outcomes. We estimated both correlations between composite measures of diabetes-related quality indicators and selected outcomes, and assessed through a joinpoint analysis whether trends in selected outcomes changed 4 years after the inception of the national program.ResultsBetween 2002 and 2010, the prevalence of diabetes in Israeli adults increased from 4.8% to 7.4%. During these years, an improvement was noticed in most quality indicators (from 53% to 75% for the composite score). Declines were noted in rates of blindness, diabetes-related end-stage kidney disease, lower limbs amputations and diabetes-related mortality. Significant accelerations in decline were noted for amputations in men and diabetes-related mortality in both Arab men and women 4 years after the inception of the national program.ConclusionThis study suggests that Israel’s national program for quality indicators in diabetes care in the community has probably had a significant impact on the health status of the whole population and may have contributed to narrowing gaps in life expectancy between Israeli Jews and Arabs. Future studies based on individual-level data are needed to confirm these results.

Predictors of 30-day readmissions after gastrectomy for malignancy

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to identify risk factors associated with readmission after gastrectomy to potentially identify potential areas for targeted improvements. Hospital readmission after surgery is a topic of interest in health-care policy among hospitals, payers, and providers. Readmissions are associated with increased costs, morbidity, and mortality. Readmission rates have been proposed as a quality metric for hospitals and quality indicator of individual surgeon's performance. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has reduced payments to hospitals with excessive readmissions for certain diagnoses. Materials and methodsAll gastrectomy procedures for malignancy in patients aged ≥18 y from 2005 to 2011 were queried from the California State Inpatient Database. Patients who died during index admission were excluded. Descriptive statistics were examined between all baseline variables and readmission status. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age, race, sex, and insurance status. ResultsA total of 6985 patients underwent gastrectomy for malignancy; 16.5% of the patients were readmitted after postoperative discharge. Readmission rate did not change significantly over time. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the occurrence of any postoperative complications, postoperative length of stay greater than 10 d, discharge to skilled nursing facility or home health care, combined resection with distal pancreatectomy and/or splenectomy, and patient comorbidities like diabetes mellitus and renal failure were independently associated with readmissions. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that focusing on quality improvement efforts by targeting reduction of postoperative complications may reduce readmission rates.

Will COTS RF Front-Ends Really Cope With 5G Requirements at mmWave?

In this paper, the real-time over-the-air multi-gigabit wideband wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system performance, using two distinct radio frequency (RF) front-ends designed for the millimetre frequency band (mmWave), is evaluated. A thorough comparative analysis between 60-GHz cutting-edge commercial off-the-shelf and reference RF front-ends, taking into account their intrinsic RF impairments and their impact on the overall system performance degradation, is presented. With this, it is possible to verify whether system on chip technology for RF circuits is ready for 5G systems. Due to the large available bandwidth, the mmWave band is very attractive for future 5G wireless communication systems, which might provide transmission data rates over 10 Gb/s and network latency below 1 ms. However, non-linearities of RF front-ends, at these frequencies, severely affect the performance of transmission schemes. In fact, this is the main cause for performance degradation on OFDM systems. It causes significant limitation on both maximum spectral efficiency and data rate of the wireless communication link. Therefore, the OFDM performance degradation due to the non-linearities from both analogue stages of upconversion/downconversion is evaluated considering important key performance indicators for quality of service in digital communications considering 4-, 16-, 64- and 256-quadrature amplitude modulation. Furthermore, based on the results obtained from appropriate RF measurements, a practical EVM link budget formulation for mmWave systems, which takes into account both PA and PN impairment effects, is proposed.

Quality Assurance of Flexible Sigmoidoscopy as a Screening Tool for Colorectal Cancer

Introduction: Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) has been shown to offer a substantial reduction in the mortality rate from colorectal cancer (CRC) located in the distal colon and is included in the CRC screening program in the UK and other countries. Although quality performance indicators for colonoscopy have been widely adopted, similar practice for FS is variable. For FS to become an effective screening tool for CRC, standardization of quality assurance is needed. Methods: We performed a retrospective study using an electronic endoscopy database to evaluate the practice of FS in term of performance indicator during 2009-2011 in three district general hospitals in UK. The patient’s age, sex, extent of examination, grade of endoscopist, use of medications, type of bowel preparation, procedure tolerance, bowel visualization and missed left sided lesions were investigated. Results: A total of 3823 procedures were recorded, of which 87.5% were carried out in the outpatient setting. In 56.7% of cases, the colon was intubated to the splenic flexure or beyond, while examination was limited to the descending colon in 20.2% of cases, sigmoid colon in 18.7% of cases and rectum in 4.6% of cases. Procedure failure was caused by poor bowel preparation in 3.7% of the cases, pain in 1.5% of the cases and anatomical complexities and pathology encounter in 1% of the cases, while in 94.1%, there were no limitations. Good mucosal visualization was achieved in 76.1% of the cases, while the procedure was well tolerated in 80.7% of the cases. 2% of the patients used Entonox and 3.3% received midazolam (range 1-5 mg, median dose=3 mg). Pathologies were detected in 50% of the cases while the procedure was reported as normal in 37% of cases and reported inconclusive in the remaining 13%. 11 patients (0.29%) had a subsequent diagnosis of a left sided malignant lesion within the segment of the colon examined during FS. Conclusion: This study identified a wide variability in the practice of FS in local UK hospitals and highlighted the lack of quality standards. It showed that FS is widely practiced and a useful diagnostic tool, however, to make it a more effective screening tool for colorectal cancer, a standardization process for quality assurance is needed.

A linearized model for academic staff assignment in a Brazilian university focusing on performance gain in quality indicators

Private Higher Education Institutions (HEI) often have shares in stock markets to attract investment. A key element for a good appreciation on the market is a good evaluation in performance indicators of academic quality. In Brazil a main component of such academic quality indicators is directly computed after the assignment of faculty members to courses. We develop mathematical models to support decision making in the assignment of faculty members to courses in a private HEI in Brazil. It turns out that the original problem is a nonlinear integer programming problem, and to deal with large instances found in practice we propose to use a linearized model instead. We conduct computational experiments with two main purposes: to evaluate the quality of the solutions obtained with the linear integer model when compared to the ones obtained with the original nonlinear integer model, and to evaluate the potential of gains with the linear integer model when compared to actual assignments. In the latter case numerical results on real instances from the HEI under study show the proposed approach effective to improve the indicators of the HEI due to a better assignment of faculty members to courses than observed in practice.