It is suggested, but not strictly necessary, to have the frequency of either Industrial Management of Quality I or Quality Management Systems, especially as regards the 7 Ishikawa tools.
The course aims to give the students a theoretical framework regarding the definition and measurement of quality in healthcare and train the students in using traditional and innovative quality improvement techniques including accreditation, continuous quality improvement, performance management and measurement as a framework for decision-making processes
1. Introduction to healthcare system and continous quality improvement (definition, goals).
2. Clinical Risk Management, active and proactive approach for error mode identification.
3. Accreditation.
4. Essential tool for improvement and analysis of errors, process and causes identification:
- Tools for Root cause analysis
- FMEA/FMECA
- Flowchart
- QFD
5. Tools for improvement analysis:
- Brainstorming
- Affinity diagram
- Multivoting
- Design of Experiment
- Statistical techniques
- 6-sigma
- Poka Yoke
Lectures and tutorials with practical examples of application of the various techniques introduced.
Discussion on the results obtained and on the suggestions derivable from the practical use of the different techniques.
Examples of output interpretation.
Case studies about the application of the appropriate tools, for which presentations are required during the course, are offered to attending students. The final exam (written) consists in distinguishing between correct and incorrect statements about the topics covered, and in being able to answer theoretical questions on the principles and techniques discussed.
For non-attending students, only an extended final exam (written) is required. In this exam, in addition to what is foreseen for attending students, it is necessary to demonstrate to be able to apply the techniques to practical cases and to interpret the results.
The course slides and any further information will be made available