The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the principles and practices of health care quality improvement. Students will learn how to use these principles in the design and management of continual improvement activities. Faculty will present theories and concepts of quality measurement, management and patient safety in the context of their application in a variety of health care delivery settings and organizations. The ?end goal? is to prepare each student for a role in managing change from personal, team, organizational, and system perspectives in order to improve continually the quality of care in which s/he is involved.

This hybrid course meets Wednesday afternoons on campus and on-line at least 4 days/week in addition. Learning experiences include faculty and guest lectures, readings, group activities, case studies and/or simulations, and class discussion. The following texts are required and are available on reserve: Applying Quality Management in Health Care, third edition by Diane L. Kelly (Chicago: Health Administration Press), 2011. NOTE: It is important to get the 3rd edition of this book; earlier versions are out of date. Also: Organizing for Quality: The improvement journeys of leading hospitals in Europe and the United States, by Paul Bate (United Kingdom: Radcliffe Publishing LTD), 2008, ISBN 13:978-184619-151-0. Journal readings will be available on Blackboard.

Assessments include 3 projects (one individual project and two team projects), an ongoing journal to discuss readings, discussion board participation on-line, and class participation on campus. All on-campus sessions must be attended; no exceptions. There are no exams.