Quality Improvement Basics

This QI Basics course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools to start quality improvement projects at their facilities.
The course may be completed sequentially, or individual modules and tools may be used for stand-alone training and review.

YouTube Playlist of All QI Basics Videos

Rural EMS Quality Improvement Basics

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $740,000 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. (June 2023).

Introduction to Quality Improvement

This section establishes the idea that quality improvement is a method – using science and supporting tools – to create consistent, repeatable, dependable, and ever-improving processes.

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Team Concepts and Communication

This section contains tools to support QI teams, including a project charter and communication plan.

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Project Teams and Leadership

This module outlines the leadership support, policies, and processes to organize and facilitate the work of the QI team. (9-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (3-page PDF)

Building Your QI Team

This module walks through how to identify when a QI team is needed and describes the various roles and responsibilities within a QI team. (13-minute video)
Slides (7-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

QI Charters and Work Plans

This module describes common components found in a project charter and outlines what is needed to build an effective work plan. (12-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (3-page PDF)

This module defines the role of meeting facilitator, identifies common facilitation challenges, suggests strategies to address them, and describes the PEARLS approach to conflict resolution. (8-minute video)
Slides (6-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Communication Basics

This module identifies the five standards of effective communication and illustrates how to use a communication plan. (11-minute video)
Slides (6-page PDF) Transcript (3-page PDF)

Communication Techniques

This module explores three communication techniques to help QI teams clearly and accurately exchange information among their team and other involved parties and explains the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR) framework. (8-minute video)
Slides (4-page PDF) Transcript (3-page PDF)

Communication Plan

A framework to organize and enumerate the types and methods of communication within your QI team as well as to external partners and constituents. (3-page Word doc)

Project Charter

Template tool for organizing the framework of a QI project, providing a summary for the project team, sponsors, and constituents. (4-page Word doc)

Work Plan

A task monitoring and documentation tool to keep QI projects on track and help teams ensure there is follow-through and completion of assigned work. (3-page Word doc)

Organizational Culture and Change Management

This section contains resources to support adopting change management processes in QI.

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QI Processes

This section explores QI processes like the Model for Improvement, PDSA, and root cause analysis.

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The Model for Improvement

This module explains the three sequenced steps in the Model for Improvement and the key components of the Plan-Do-Study-Act steps in testing changes. (14-minute video)
Slides (10-page PDF) Transcript (6-page PDF)

Prioritization

This module explains how to identify criteria to prioritize quality improvement opportunities, use a prioritization matrix to decide which opportunity to pursue first, and how to create and use a PICK chart. (10-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (3-page PDF)

Root Cause Analysis Part 1

This module defines the purpose of a root cause analysis (RCA), when to do one, and who to involve in an RCA. (15-minute video)
Slides (6-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Root Cause Analysis Part 2

This module shows how to start a root cause analysis (RCA), use triggering questions and a cause and effect (fishbone) diagram to identify possible causes of a problem and write a clear causal statement. (16-minute video)
Slides (8-page PDF) Transcript (5-page PDF)

Introduction to Process Mapping

This module explains what process mapping is, how process mapping supports quality improvement, and how to identify appropriate team members to participate in creating a process map. (8-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (3-page PDF)

Mapping the Process

This module explains the importance of a culture of safety in facilitating effective process mapping, describes the steps involved in process mapping, and how to develop a process map using three primary flowchart symbols. (13-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Swim Lane Process Mapping

This module explains how in a swim lane process map, steps and decisions are grouped visually into lanes, similar to a swimming pool, and how each lane belongs to a person, team, department, or other organizational unit you select to help manage communications and handoffs between people or departments. (11-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Cause and Effect Tool/Fishbone Diagram

This cause-and-effect tool, often called a “fishbone” diagram, can help in brainstorming to identify possible causes of a problem and in sorting ideas into useful categories. (2-page Word doc)

Model for Improvement and PDSA Worksheet

A tool to help teams plan, conduct, analyze, and monitor the progress of a QI effort with tests of change to help meet the aim or goal. (4-page Word doc)

PICK Prioritization Matrix

A Lean Six Sigma tool to help prioritize work a QI team should undertake using a quadrant system based on anticipated ease of implementation and payoff level. (2-page Word doc)

Prioritization Tool

This tool will assist in choosing which potential areas for improvement are the highest priority based on the needs of the patients/clients and the organization. (2-page Word doc)

SMARTIE Goals Worksheet

This worksheet is intended to help establish appropriate goals for performance improvement projects that incorporate inclusion and equity outcomes. (2-page Word doc)

Data to Support QI

This section eplains how data is used to show quality improvement, the difference between qualitative and quantitative data, and distinguishes between process and outcome measures and their uses.

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Data Basics

This module illustrates how data is used to show quality improvement, the difference between qualitative and quantitative data, why each is used, and distinguishes between process and outcome measures and their uses.
(11-minute video)
Slides (5-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Data Basics Example

This module walks through an example QI project, showing that by selecting both process and outcome measures, a QI team can better understand the steps taken to achieve their goals and the actual results.
(5-minute video)
Slides (4-page PDF) Transcript (2-page PDF)

Data Collection and Monitoring

This module discusses data collection method options, what questions to ask to determine appropriate measures for a quality project, and how to develop a data collection and monitoring plan. (5-minute video)
Slides (7-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Data Analysis

This module includes the basic key data analysis steps, the purpose of descriptive and diagnostic data analysis, and what data stratification is and why it can be helpful. (12-minute video)
Slides (6-page PDF) Transcript (4-page PDF)

Data Analysis Example

This module uses an example scenario to show how purposeful stratification of data compares outcomes across strata to uncover disparities or trends. (4-minute video)
Slides (4-page PDF) Transcript (2-page PDF)

Data Display Methods

This module defines the meaning and purpose of data visualization and describes various data visualization options and how to determine when they should be used. (13-minute video)
Slides (7-page PDF) Transcript (5-page PDF)

Data Collection and Monitoring Plan

A tool to help teams plan, conduct, analyze, and monitor the progress of a QI effort with tests of change to help meet the aim or goal. (3-page Word doc)

All QI Basics Templates and Tools

All quality improvement tools and templates cited in the above categories are listed here alphabetically.

View All QI Basics Templates and Tools

Facilitator Guide and Sample Course Syllabus

Resources to support those interested in convening a peer-sharing cohort to complete the course together.

View Facilitator Guide and Sample Course Syllabus

This QI Basics course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools to start quality improvement projects at their facilities. The course may be completed sequentially, or individual modules and tools may be used for stand-alone training and review.