Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Catalog description

This course provides an overview of quality improvement (QI) in health care and public health settings. Students will build knowledge of implementation science (IS) theories, frameworks and models as they design a QI project. The cornerstones of QI are identifying and using data to prioritize opportunity and measure impact, setting goals based on evidence/best practice, and creating changes that result in improved care or service that are sustainable over time. This course will provide an overview of the theoretical and conceptual background needed to develop the systems thinking skills necessary for effective QI. Assignments will focus on the practical applications of QI tools and techniques in health care and public health settings, including the skills needed to design and manage QI projects. The course will also include a focus on measurement and analysis techniques and strategies to sustain and spread improvements. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to look at the world through the QI lens and find ways to make innovative and effective changes that improve health and how we provide care.