How to get started with Quality Improvement
Undertaking a gap analysis with ACHS Consulting can set your healthcare organisation in the right direction for quality improvement.
Quality improvement (QI) aims to make a meaningful difference for patients by improving the safety, effectiveness and experience of care. It involves considering everything an organisation does, how it is done and identifying ways to make it even better.
Where do you start?
An essential first step when getting started on QI is for the governance or leadership team to make it a priority. The commitment to improving processes must be communicated from the top, with leaders actively fostering an environment where QI can thrive. This means encouraging staff to use improvement tools and techniques consistently and creating a culture that supports experimentation and learning.
Shifting to a QI mindset can be challenging, as it often requires moving from reactive problem-solving to proactive prevention. The goal is to improve processes sustainably, rather than simply patching issues as they arise. To set this foundation, leaders should ensure the organisation provides the right resources, i.e. people, time, and training and, where necessary, reviewing culture and applying change management strategies to support lasting improvement.
Identifying improvement opportunities
No single approach can fit all organisations. Every organisation will have its own model of change corresponding to its needs and issues. Understanding the gap between current practice and best practice is critical. Many improvement efforts struggle because teams move too quickly without fully understanding the problem, the system or the variation in performance. This can lead to well-intended projects that fail to gain traction or are not sustained.
A structured gap analysis helps avoid this by providing:
- A clear, evidence-based picture of current practice
- Insight into variation, risk and system weaknesses
- Alignment with best practice, priorities and organisational goals
Data sources such as audits, patient safety culture surveys, patient experience feedback, incidents, complaints and performance reports all contribute to this understanding. When combined with frontline insights from staff and patients, they form a powerful foundation for improvement.
Are you just starting your improvement journey?
ACHS Consulting supports organisations through structured gap analysis, led by experts who understand the realities of care delivery. In addition to this service, we offer long-term, embedded support through Quality Advisory. This flexible and ongoing partnership model can be tailored to your organisational needs, supporting you to strengthen safety, quality and organisational readiness.
Benefits of Quality Advisory:
- Ongoing monitoring of clinical governance frameworks, with tailored advisory support.
- Verification of alignment with relevant national standards through targeted reviews and evidence mapping.
- Supporting quality teams to plan, track, and implement improvement activities and accreditation readiness tasks.
- Establishing structured touchpoints to monitor progress, report outcomes, and support clear and effective communication with governance bodies.
By working in partnership with healthcare organisations, we help translate insight into clear priorities for action, creating a practical starting point and ongoing support for sustainable, organisation-wide quality improvement.
Have a chat to us today
Wherever you are on your improvement journey, we take the time to understand your organisation’s needs and help identify the most appropriate first steps forward.
Time slots are available this month to book a free, confidential conversation with an expert from the ACHS Consulting team. Find out more about ACHS Consulting and our services here.
