Statistical Tools for Quality Improvement

Well done
This week, we examine statistical tools for quality improvement. Balestracci (2020) contends improvement statistics are designed to expose variation and then, “(1) reduce the variation that is inappropriate and unintended and (2) implement variation shown serendipitously to be beneficial” (p. 128). The framework for the context for improvement statistics is, that of, process-oriented thinking. In addition to introducing the concept of variation, the majority of this week’s content centers on 7 basic quality tools for process improvement. The American Society for Quality refers to the “The Old Seven”, “The First Seven”, and “The Basic Seven” as:
Cause-and-effect diagram
Check sheet
Control chart
Histogram
Pareto chart
Scatter diagram
Stratification, some lists replace stratification with flowchart or run chart (American Society of Quality, 2020)
The interactive learning experience for this week provides you with an opportunity to create a cause and effect diagram to visualize the causes contributing to a certain effect. During our BigBlueButton conference call, you and your nurse colleagues will have the opportunity to ‘check-in’ and share identify the problem and describe the aim statement and project objectives for your quality improvement project.
Learning Objectives:Examine the role of process-oriented thinking in the context for improvement statistics.
Explain the concept of variation in statistical improvement.
Describe the commonly used statistical tools for quality improvement