Have you ever used a pro and con list to work through a challenging decision? Have you checked items or steps off a notepad as you completed them?

Quality Improvement Tools

Have you ever used a pro and con list to work through a challenging decision? Have you checked items or steps off a notepad as you completed them? The seven tools of quality—and their many derivatives—assist healthcare professionals in a similar way, by breaking down complex processes so that they can be more easily understood. These instruments also assist in analyzing data so that quality improvement decisions can be made.

For this Discussion, you will reflect on the quality improvement tools you have used in the nursing workplace and the impact they have had.

To Prepare:

Review the quality tools described in Chapter 4 of the Johnson and Sollecito text; the Neuhauser, Myhre, and Alemi workbook; and the American Society for Quality website.

Consider a situation when you used a quality tool in a healthcare setting.

By Day 3 of Week 2

Post a description of the quality improvement tools you have used or have been introduced to in healthcare. Provide an example of how you have used a quality improvement tool in the past and the effect it had on you, the organization, and/or patients. Be specific and provide examples.

Note:?For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on?Submit!

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6 of Week 2

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by sharing the challenges or successes you have experienced using quality improvement tools. Additionally, suggest tips or recommendations to colleagues who may not be familiar with a certain tool that you are.