Implementation and Effects of a Team-Based Quality Improvement Training Program Across a Health System: The Northwestern Medicine Academy for Quality and Safety Improvement

Abstract

Background: Professional organizations emphasize the need to train health care professionals in quality improvement (QI). Many reports of QI education programs involve small numbers of participants. Little is known about QI education programs on a larger scale and whether participants subsequently engage in QI activities.

Methods: The Northwestern Medicine Academy for Quality and Safety Improvement (NM AQSI) was developed to prepare individuals across the Northwestern health system to lead QI. The 7-month program consists of classwork and team-based project work. Participant knowledge was assessed using a multiple-choice test and adapted Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool (QIKAT). The study team surveyed participants 18 months after AQSI completion to assess their activity in QI. Project status was assessed at AQSI completion and at 18 months.

Results: Over 8 years, 80 teams consisting of 441 individuals participated, representing a range of specialties, settings, and professions. Participants had higher multiple-choice test (70.7 ± 14.0 vs. 78.1 ± 13.0; p < 0.001) and adapted QIKAT scores (56.1 ± 15.9 vs. 60.8 ± 15.8; p < 0.001) after AQSI. The majority of participants at 18 months (180/243; 74.1%) had engaged in subsequent QI efforts; many (105/243; 43.2%) had led other QI projects, and (103/243; 42.4%) provided QI mentorship to others. The majority of teams (53/80; 66.3%) improved project measure performance.

Conclusion: NM AQSI is a team-based QI training program that shows measurable improvements in care and a high degree of participants' subsequent involvement in QI. Other health systems may use a similar approach to successfully train health care professionals to lead QI.