Techniques For Assessing Performance And Improving Quality And Performance Improvement Essay

There are different techniques that are used in assessing the performance and improving quality and performance in organizations especially those in the health care. The methods include PDSA, rapid cycle improvement, FOCUS-PDCA, FADE, Lean and Six Sigma (Spath, 2013).
Examples of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles are use of registry to give current guidelines on care, identifying patients who need education on a certain disease, making registry accessible to physicians through the Internet and others. Example of the rapid improvement model is when a team meets within 90 days, evaluates what is lacking, does the research, comes up with findings, and recommends what is to be done. FOCUS-PDCA refers to the steps taken in improving processes. FADE model is usually is graphic form. Lean process improvement is based on increasing speed and making business processes simpler. Six Sigma is also concerned with change improvement (Spath, 2013).
There are similarities that exist among the examples of the change models. First, all of them are about improving processes in an organization. Additionally, the models are all about improving the processes in a faster mode. The models are about ensuring that the processes are fast enough. Another similarity among the projects is that most of the organizations where they are implemented are related to health services. The projects also contain steps and procedures that organizations should follow before achieving their quality improvement goal (Spath, 2013).
On the contrary, there are also differences among the examples of the projects. First, the PDSA model is about solving problems within the organization whereas the rapid cycle improvement cycle is about achieving high quality within the shortest time. PDSA can take some time unlike is the case with the rapid cycle improvement that is mostly in three months. Additionally, some have fewer steps like the lean and the rapid cycle improvement whereas others have many steps in their application like the FOCUS-PDCA, PDSA, six sigma and FADE. Also, some models like the quick cycle improvement require specialized training and skills in the use while others like FOCUS-PDCA and PDSA do not (Spath, 2013).
In conclusion, the models can improve quality and service in organizations if applied well. Expertise should thus be granted to those that require it. Additionally, there should be the incorporation of all stakeholders in the organization for the achievement of the goals to be successful.

Reference

Spath, P. (2013). Introduction to Healthcare Quality Management. Chicago: Health Administration Press.