Quality Improvement in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy: Using the Model for Improvement to impact Outcomes

Abstract

Quality improvement and quality assurance form a complementary and independent relationship. Quality assurance measures compliance against industry standards using audits, whereas quality improvement is a continuous process focused on processes and systems that can improve care. The Model for Improvement is a robust quality improvement tool that transplant and cellular therapy teams can use to redesign healthcare processes. The Model for Improvement uses several components addressed in sequence to organize and critically evaluate improvement activities. Unlike other health sciences clinical research, quality improvement projects, and research are based on dynamic hypotheses that develop into observable, serial tests of change with continuous collection and feedback of performance data to stakeholders.

Keywords: Care coordination; Challenges during and after transplant; HSCT and its impact on the lives of patients; Quality of care; Transition of care.