Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

The longitudinal experience in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety teaches residents basic QI methodology, how to develop, implement, and analyze a QI project, and the basics of patient safety event reporting and analysis. Residents will conduct their own quality improvement projects both individually and with a multidisciplinary team. At least one quality improvement project will focus on addressing health disparities at the Center for Family Medicine – Oconee, with the goal of improving health equity in our patient population and providing quality care for all.

Through structured didactics, simulations, and clinical experiences, residents will learn about common patient safety events and contributing system factors, as well as how to disclose safety events to patients and families. Residents will conduct root cause analyses (RCA) and present regular morbidity & mortality reports. To supplement their training in quality improvement and patient safety, residents will complete web-based modules through the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Open School.

This experience will provide residents the tools to succeed in independent practice and as healthcare leaders by providing a thorough foundation in quality improvement work and practice working with multidisciplinary teams to advance clinic and patient goals. With dedicated time throughout their three years of residency to participate in and lead long-term projects, residents will learn to apply a quality improvement approach to their everyday practice.