What is a common quality improvement model used in healthcare?

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is widely recognized as a fundamental model for quality improvement in healthcare settings. This iterative process allows teams to systematically test changes aimed at improving patient care and clinical processes. The cycle begins with identifying a plan for improvement (Plan), implementing the change (Do), studying the results of the implementation to see if the desired outcomes were achieved (Study), and then acting on what was learned to either refine the process or implement it on a broader scale (Act).

The PDSA cycle is particularly valuable in healthcare because it encourages continuous learning and adaptation. It empowers healthcare professionals to take small steps when implementing changes, which minimizes risk and allows for better assessment of the impact of each change. This is crucial in a field where patient safety and quality of care are of paramount importance.

While other models like Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Quality Improvement, and Quality by Design also focus on improving quality and efficiency, the PDSA cycle stands out for its simplicity and practicality as it directly engages stakeholders in the care process, making it an effective tool in healthcare quality improvement initiatives.