Not all improvements are long-term projects
Here are some quick fixes for common problems
As you already know, most quality improvement initiatives require careful planning, preparation, and ongoing dedication. But sometimes the most minor changes can simplify old processes and provide immediate results. Here are some small, yet creative ideas that can improve patient satisfaction, save time and resources, or simply create a more positive health care environment.
Why not use some of these ideas from St. Luke Medical Center in Houston:
Provide welcome cards upon admission to acquaint patients with services and routines.
Put arrows on ambiguous signs to help send guests in the right direction.
Add "Walk-a-Mile" laminated signs in the hallways to encourage ambulation progress. Mark every 25 feet to track progress for beginner ambulators.
Incorporate "no caffeine" stickers in patient’s view to remind patients and family members prior to stress tests. List caffeinated items on the sticker for quick reference.
Send "thinking of you" cards and "get well soon" cards to patients five days after discharge. Send sympathy cards to families who lost a loved one or for maternity patients who lost a child.
Remove all glass panes at the central nursing station to give a more welcoming look to patients. Another bonus: Housekeeping doesn’t have to clean what isn’t there.
Use picture communication cards for non-English speaking patients to communicate common requests.
Have hospital volunteers handle time- consuming and repetitive tasks, such as posting visual reminder signs, performing easy-to-spot quality checks, etc.
Color-code and alphabetize staff and physician forms and file them accordingly. Upper drawer: Yellow nursing chart forms; Pink critical pathways; Blue physician forms. Bottom drawer: Red consent forms; Purple teaching forms; etc.
4 Hang supplies on a grid wall in the OR to free up floor space and help staffers take visual inventory.
[Want to show off your quick and creative quality improvement strategies? Send your ideas to QI/TQM; American Health Consultants, P.O. Box 740056, Atlanta, GA 30074. Telephone: (404) 262-5456.]
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content