title: A two-pronged quality improvement training program for leaders and frontline staff.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A unique two-pronged QI training program was developed at Emory Healthcare (Atlanta), which encompasses five hospitals and a multispecialty physician practice. One two-day program, Leadership for Healthcare Improvement, is offered to leadership, and a four-month program, Practical Methods for Healthcare Improvement, is offered to frontline staff and middle managers. KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT: Participants in the leadership program completed self-assessments of QI competencies and pre- and postcourse QI knowledge tests. Semistructured interviews with selected participants in the practical methods program were performed to assess QI project sustainability and short-term outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than 600 employees completed one of the training programs in 2008 and 2009. Leadership course participants significantly improved knowledge in all content areas, and self-assessments revealed high comfort levels with QI principles following the training. All practical methods participants were able to initiate and implement QI projects. Participants described significant challenges with team functionality, but a majority of the QI projects made progress toward achieving their aim statement goals. A review of completed projects shows that a significant number were sustained up to one year after program completion. Quality leaders continue to modify the program based on learner feedback and institutional goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This initiative shows the feasibility of implementing a broad-based in-house QI training program for multidisciplinary staff across an integrated health system. Initial assessment shows knowledge improvements and successful QI project implementations, with many projects active up to one year following the courses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. krask@emory.edu
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Rask
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gitomer
authors.forename: Nathan O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Spell
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Culler
authors.forename: Sarah C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.forename: Jonathan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bornstein
mesh_terms: D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007857:Leadership; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D000078329:Workforce