Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Design a quality improvement intervention.
2. Implement a quality improvement intervention.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of quality improvement interventions.

Credit Designation Statement

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The course director of this activity, Kevin O’Leary, MD, MS, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. The steering committee members, Abra Fant, MD, MS; Barbara Buckley, MSN, RN; Amir Marouni, MD, MS; and Bizhan Shahpar, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine CME leadership, review committee and staff have no relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.

Accreditation Statement

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AQSI combines the expertise of institutional programs and leaders to provide an interactive, supportive learning experience. Participants attend 11 classroom sessions and one final celebration. They meet about twice a month, with each session lasting 1.5 hours. Each year, classes begin in October and end in June.

Key features of the program and participation include:

• Open to all healthcare professionals
• No cost to apply or attend
• A competitive application process
• Participants complete an improvement project during the program
• Each project team will be paired with an executive sponsor and performance improvement coach
• Dinner will be provided during each session so teams can meet with each other
• Participants will receive an AQSI certificate when they complete the program
• CME and CNE credit available

AQSI sessions will occur on Thursdays at 6 pm. They typically last until 7:30 pm. The program provides dinner before each session. From 5 to 6 pm, we encourage participants to meet with their teams and invite their coaches and mentors. A sample agenda is listed below.

This program accepts applications from May to the end of June each year. The program will begin in October.

Step 1: Identify a project (and team).

Applicants must propose a QI project with an unknown solution. Because QI is a team effort, we strongly encourage teams to apply. However, individual applications are welcome. We recommend teams of three to eight participants.

Step 2: Request a project application.

Email aqsi@nm.org to get access to the online application where you will propose a QI project. You will get an email with a link to the application. If you are applying as a team, designate one person to complete the application.

Step 3: Complete the project application.

When you complete the project application, be prepared to:

• Upload your CV or resume. If you are applying on behalf of a team, upload only your own CV or resume.
• Provide a brief personal statement describing your interest in learning more about QI.
• Complete and upload the Project Information Form. The form is included in the application email. It is 13 questions related to your proposed project. You will email this in as part of your application after you answer all of the questions.
• Create a high-level process map.
  • You may create this in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Visio, or another program.
  • The process map should identify the major steps (four to 10 steps) of the existing workflow for the process you intend to improve. Do not propose a new or ideal work process; just document the existing workflow as you currently understand it.
• Send a letter of support for your project from an appropriate leader in your division, practice or setting. The leader should endorse your project and grant access to resources you will need to complete the project (for example, time and data sources).
• Send a letter of support for your individual participation in the program. It should be from an appropriate leader in your division, practice or setting. They should say you will be given the time and support you will need to complete the program. If you’re applying on behalf of a team, upload only a letter for yourself.
• Please provide the names, team roles, and contact information (email addresses and phone numbers) for all team members if you are applying as a team.

You do not have to complete the project application at one time. You may save a partially completed application.

Step 4 (for teams only): Team members complete supplementary applications.

We will contact all team members named in the project application to ask them to complete a supplementary individual application. We will send the application after the project applications are completed with a confirmed team roster from the team leader. Each team member will get an email with a link to the supplementary application. Team members should be prepared to:

• Provide a brief personal statement describing your interest in learning more about QI.

You do not have to complete the application at one time. You may save a partially completed application.