Quality Assurance and Improvement Flashcards

In quality improvement methodology, what does the acronym 'PDSA' stand for?

Answer: Plan, Do, Study, Act

PDSA is a four-stage iterative improvement cycle: Plan a change, Do it on a small scale, Study the results, then Act to standardize or revise.

Which element of the MPDS is most frequently cited as the basis for EMD-related liability claims?

Answer: Pre-arrival instructions provided (or withheld) by the dispatcher

Failure to provide appropriate pre-arrival instructions — particularly CPR instructions — is the most common basis for negligence claims against EMD centers.

What is the primary purpose of 'calibration sessions' among EMD QA reviewers?

Answer: To ensure consistent and uniform scoring standards across all reviewers

Calibration aligns reviewers on how to score specific protocol situations, reducing inter-rater variability and ensuring fair, consistent evaluations.

In EMD QA, what distinguishes a 'critical deviation' from a minor protocol variance?

Answer: A critical deviation has direct potential to harm the patient or caller

Critical deviations — such as skipping CPR instructions or failing to send an appropriate response — can directly worsen patient outcomes.

Which analytical tool is most commonly used to visualize EMD QA compliance trends over time?

Answer: Run charts or statistical process control (SPC) charts

Run charts and SPC charts display performance data over time, making it easy to identify trends, shifts, and outliers in dispatcher compliance.

For individual dispatcher case reviews, NAED-accredited EMD centers are typically required to review at minimum:

Answer: 5% of a dispatcher's monthly calls, with a minimum of 3 calls

NAED accreditation standards require each dispatcher to have a minimum percentage of calls reviewed monthly to ensure individual performance monitoring.

How does peer review differ from supervisor review in an EMD quality improvement program?

Answer: Peer review is conducted by dispatchers of equal rank and promotes collaborative learning rather than disciplinary action

Peer review leverages the shared experience of fellow dispatchers to provide relatable, collaborative feedback that complements formal supervisor evaluation.