Completing the circle: from PD to PDSA
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 1 October 2004
Abstract
Problem‐solving teams, involving front‐line staff, are widely used to achieve continuous process improvement. Approaches such as “plan‐do‐study‐act” (PDSA) cycles, are now a core element of many health‐care improvement initiatives. This paper evaluates the use of PDSA improvement cycles within the UK National Health Service, using emergency care improvement activity as a source of research evidence. It was found that, despite an abundance of information on how to implement this type of change, many senior professionals still misinterpret how this should work. This has implications for how such methodologies are implemented. There is a long way to go in allowing greater employee involvement, moving much further away from the “management committee” style of change. Care has to be taken to ensure that empowered employees are working to consistent and appropriate objectives. It is important that senior personnel develop process understanding alongside the workforce, rather than simply providing distant support.
Keywords
Citation
Walley, P. and Gowland, B. (2004), "Completing the circle: from PD to PDSA", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 349-358. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860410557606
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited