What is a performance improvement project in healthcare?

A performance improvement project in healthcare is fundamentally a systematic effort aimed at enhancing patient care or operational efficiency within the healthcare setting. This process typically involves identifying areas needing improvement, setting measurable goals, implementing strategies to achieve these goals, and then evaluating the outcomes to sustain improvements over time.

By focusing on patient care or efficiency, the project emphasizes quality, safety, and effective resource management. Such projects often utilize methodologies like Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, which provide a framework for continuous improvement.

While training programs, methods for reducing wait times, and financial audits can be components or outcomes of a broader performance improvement initiative, they do not encompass the overall scope and systematic nature of a performance improvement project. The latter is more comprehensive, aimed at not just making changes but establishing a culture of ongoing quality enhancement in healthcare services.