Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Flashcards

Which quality improvement methodology uses 'Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control' (DMAIC) as its core framework?

Answer: Six Sigma

Six Sigma uses the DMAIC framework to reduce process variation and defects toward a target of 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram is used in QI to:

Answer: Categorize and visualize potential causes of a problem

Fishbone diagrams organize potential causes into categories (e.g., people, process, equipment) to systematically identify root causes.

When evaluating anesthesia quality, 'risk-adjusted' outcome data is important because:

Answer: It accounts for differences in patient complexity when comparing providers or institutions

Risk adjustment controls for patient case-mix differences, allowing fair comparisons of outcomes across providers or facilities.

In a quality improvement project targeting PONV reduction, which outcome measure is MOST directly relevant?

Answer: PACU rescue antiemetic administration rate

Rescue antiemetic rate in the PACU directly measures the burden of PONV and the effectiveness of prophylactic strategies.

The concept of 'high reliability organization' (HRO) in healthcare emphasizes:

Answer: Preoccupation with failure and collective mindfulness to prevent errors

HROs proactively search for vulnerabilities and near-misses, fostering a culture of safety before errors cause harm.

A 'run chart' differs from a control chart in that a run chart:

Answer: Does not have statistically derived control limits

Run charts plot data over time without control limits, using run rules to detect non-random patterns such as trends or shifts.

Peer review of anesthesia cases is protected from legal discovery in most U.S. states primarily under:

Answer: State peer review protection statutes

State peer review statutes protect QA/QI deliberations from legal discovery to encourage candid discussion of adverse events.