Continual Improvement

Continual improvement refers to the ongoing actions taken throughout an organization to improve effectiveness and efficiency of risk management processes, further enhance organizational capabilities, strengthen ERM framework, and create additional value to the patients and organization. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycle, Lean and Six Sigma concepts are at the heart of continual improvement. Regardless of the methodology used, a logical starting point is the development of a clear, concise and focused aim statement that all interprofessional team members can agree on. To achieve breakthrough improvements, it is important to set up ambitious aims that cannot be met by simple modifications of the existing system. Taking an interprofessional approach to continual improvement and ensuring participation of the right people with complementary leadership, risk management, legal, and clinical expertise is critical to drive changes that will result in improvement. Many organizations use a benchmarking process to measure their performance against the best-in-class organizations, identify and adapt exemplary practices to local context, establish new strategic targets, and ultimately enhance organizational performance.