Model for Improvements

Abstract

There are a variety of methods for improvements across a variety of industries. Quality improvement (QI) pioneers such as W. Edwards Deming introduced philosophies and attitudes to improve patient outcomes, reduce waste, and sustain efficient and effective processes. Adopting these methodologies to improving patient outcomes and value have become the measure that sets apart good from great. Whether you are a consumer of health care or contribute to the delivery of health care, understanding these methods can be hugely beneficial as you navigate the health care system and contribute solutions to improving its ever-evolving landscape. This chapter will provide insights into improvement science and quality improvement methodologies such as the Model for Improvement and Lean/Six Sigma. These models that are most frequently utilized in health care offer a number of different tools and strategies while maintaining a common goal of accelerating improvement.