Practical Skills for Quality Improvement

An interactive, one day workshop introducing participants to the importance of process design. This course offers hands-on training with essential performance improvement (PI) tools -- preparing project flow charts, developing an "aim" statement, understanding how to collect, aggregate and analyze performance improvement data, and learning how to plan and execute the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle. Participants will leave with concrete tools and action plans to apply the principles and skills covered in the workshop. This is an ideal course for individuals who want to learn some PI basics that they can immediately apply to their own project(s). QI coordinators, front-line staff, nurse leaders and ancillary providers have attended prior sessions.

This course is offered monthly for a maximum of 30 participants. Practical Skills class times are 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

The Compass Series

This project based series is a four day course over four months that will provide participants with specific skills and knowledge to initiate, run and complete a performance improvement (PI) project. It will address team leadership, science for improvement, measurement for improvement, communication and sharing results, among other topics. The series consists of four sessions that build upon each other. In between classes, participants use the knowledge gained to assist them in their improvement project.

Session one explores the importance of team and the model for improvement. Day two is an in-depth overview of measurement as it pertains to performance improvement. Day three is an actual hands-on Excel class, which includes basic formulas, formatting, data collection tool development as well as graphing. Session four culminates with participant presentations highlighting their PI projects as well as additional topics such as human factors and reliability.
Participants will need to perform a modest amount of pre-work and bring an actual or planned project they are working at their institution.

Offered as a series of 4 courses. Series begins 3 times per year. Compass class times are 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
This program can accommodate 30-35 participants, each committing to one day of training for four consecutive months.

Please Note: Participants must attend all four classes and present their PI project in order to successfully complete the series. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider # CEP 14560 - 5 Contact Hours for each class.

Recommended for staff who have completed the Beacon Practical Skills Class, staff involved in patient safety and quality improvement interventions and projects, staff that will lead, or are leading, an intervention team in the facility and those with interest in the science for improvement and project management.

January - April 2010 Session
North -  January 14, 2010 - Santa Clara County Medical Association, San Jose
South - February 11, 2010 - Unitek Computer Center, Fremont
East -   March 11, 2010 - Santa Clara County Medical Association, San Jose
West -  April 8, 2010 - Santa Clara County Medical Association, San Jose