A new study published in BMJ Quality & Safety offers an evaluation of the ways that Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles are being used to drive quality improvement in hospitals. PDSA cycles are an essential part of the Model for Improvement, a simple but effective tool used to speed change and improvement.
Until now, little research has been done to evaluate and compare application of the commonly used method across different facilities. The study is beneficial because it offers a theoretical framework for assessing the quality of application of PDSA cycles and explores the consistency with which the method has been applied in peer-reviewed literature against this framework. Findings promote a better understanding of how to best use this powerful tool.
To read the study, Systemic review of the application of the plan-do-study-act method to improve quality in healthcare, and to get a better understanding of how to use this powerful tool, click here.
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