Decreasing Time from Referral to First Contact of Suspected Tuberculosis Cases

Initially, several possible QI initiatives were identified. The initiative was chosen by using the prioritization matrix. Staff chose to use the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) model. The team completed a QI charter document that identified the problem statement, team members, team leader, aim, scope, SMART objectives, evaluation measures, obstacles, and key milestones. After discussing the problem with all staff involved, a flowchart of the current processes was created. Staff were then asked to write down every problem they had experienced with the process on a sticky note. An affinity diagram was created by placing each problem onto the flowchart at the point where that problem occurred in the process. Staff were then asked to brainstorm possible solutions to each set of problems on sticky notes. The solutions were also placed onto the flowchart. After completing this exercise, the entire team built a new process to test, then created a flowchart of the new process. The new process was implemented and the impact was measured.

This project was measured by a report generated from the EMR. The time interval was measured as stated in the outcome measures. Staff reports of effective, timely communication were also considered.