The Public Health Foundation's
Quality Improvement (QI) Experts are continuously publishing articles in national newsletters and journals to expand the breadth and depth of QI literature. Our experts write for all levels of QI understanding: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Writing for publication means that our experts are up-to-date with current research, practices, challenges, and the needs of the public health community. Below are three recent publications:
- Five Whys and Five Hows: Ron Bialek, Grace Duffy, and John W. (Jack) Moran
- The Five Whys and Five Hows are two QI tools used to understand the details of a problem or a solution. This method can help bring clarity to a problem statement or a potential solution.
- Solve the Real Problem Using Root Cause Analysis: Grace Duffy, Jack Moran, and William Riley
- The Root Cause Analysis is a QI tool used to define the main cause of a problem and identify the actions necessary to permanently eliminate it. Fixing the main cause of the problem prevents continuously addressing minor symptoms of the problem.
- Understanding and Controlling Variation in Public Health: Marlene J. Mason, and Jack Moran
- Variation is a QI tool used to identify the type of variation (common cause or special cause) in a system. For example, in a clinic, a common cause of variation, 5 minutes of wait time, is acceptable, and a special cause of variation, 45 minutes of wait time, should be addressed.
Whatever level of experience you have with QI, or you would like to have with QI, our experts will tailor their expertise to your needs. If your health department is facing strategic planning challenges and how to spend limited resources, our experts will suggest the correct tools to help decision making. If your health department is just beginning to think about Accreditation and the role QI plays, our experts can introduce you to the appropriate tools and techniques to get you started.
Wherever you are on the QI knowledge continuum, PHF is interested in working with you to implement QI tools and techniques. PHF offers a wide range of
consulting services;
contact Emily Reineketo learn more.