PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hanna C. Engel-Brower
AU  - Hayden L. Smith
AU  - Julie A. Gibbons
AU  - Valerie M. Boelman
AU  - Angela R. Claytor
AU  - Michael Rodemyer
AU  - W. John Yost
AU  - Douglas B. Dorner
TI  - Iowa Health Des Moines, Des Moines, IA<br/>Implementation of a Resident Quality Improvement Council within a Health System
DP  - 2014 Mar 20
TA  - Ochsner Journal
PG  - 18--19
VI  - 14
IP  - Spec AIAMC Iss
4099  - http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/14/Spec_AIAMC_Iss/18.short
4100  - http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/14/Spec_AIAMC_Iss/18.full
SO  - Ochsner J2014 Mar 20; 14
AB  - Background: We aimed to improve resident knowledge of and engagement in QI projects through a resident quality council (RQC). Because residents have limited time, adding educational components can be difficult, but ACGME has emphasized QI. Through the council, residents will become further engaged in QI projects and see measurable increases in QI knowledge, attitudes, and practices.Methods: A survey assessing baseline QI knowledge, attitudes, and practices was sent to all 130 residents. The survey was cross-sectional and electronic, had standardized responses, had space for open-ended response, and incorporated reverse scored questions. Selected residents from each of the 5 residency programs formed the RQC with support from staff representatives from medical education, nursing quality, clinical quality, and research.Results: With a 78% response rate (n=102), the survey revealed residents were familiar or very familiar with most aspects of QI knowledge (on a scale of not familiar/somewhat familiar/familiar/very familiar). The majority of the residents were not familiar/somewhat familiar with linking data to specific processes. Residents also were equally divided on knowledge of implementing structured plans to evaluate a change and using a PDSA framework. Regarding QI attitudes, the majority agreed or strongly agreed with the importance of QI projects and teams (on a scale of strongly disagree/disagree/agree/strongly agree). The majority strongly disagreed/disagreed that they had enough time to work on QI projects. Regarding participating in QI practices, the majority have had some prior QI training and project work. However, the majority have not participated in a multidisciplinary QI project team or suggested a QI project themselves.Conclusions: The survey identified program-specific opportunities to improve QI education and the RQC facilitated collaboration across the hospital, providing residents a chance to attend quality meetings for clinical, nursing, pediatric, and adult intensive care committees. Although time constraints and clinical obligations limited resident time, resident-driven QI projects provided opportunities for sustainable results.View this table:FINAL WORK PLAN – Iowa Health Des Moines