Integrating Quality Improvement Into the Community Health Center

Objective:

To implement quality improvement programs in Community Health Centers

Methods:

The West Virginia University Office of Health Services Research (OHSR) and Community Health Centers (CHC) have the same mission:  to improve health outcomes for low income, rural West Virginia residents.  Quality Improvement (QI) is a process to ensure this mission is obtained.   CHC administrative staff receives training in QI but struggle with how to implement the process without causing an additional workload for center staff.   As a consulting member of the CHC’s QI team, the OHSR staff guides the team through the QI process.  Data reports generated for federal and state funding requirements are used as a baseline for the QI process.  This process begins with identifying one set of data the center would like to improve.  By using brainstorming techniques and data interpretation, staff input becomes an important part of the quality improvement activities. 

Results:

This process allows the CHC to identify and address QI issues that meet their specific needs without getting bogged down in QI jargon.  The process provides an opportunity for all staff to participate in the discussion of how to improving care.  This buy-in from staff assists in implementing system change within the center. 

Conclusion:

QI training and implementation can be a simple step by step process without generating additional workloads for a CHC’s staff.