Here’s a reminder of HSC previous winners….

Winner 2018

Title: The Impact of Quality Improvement Training Transfer. This is a collaborative evaluation project on behalf of HSCQI with the interdisciplinary team including Mark McCrory, UU Business School; Noleen McCorry, QUB Public Health School and Ruth Gray, Clinical Lead in Quality Improvement SEHSCT.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of QI training on service delivery and care.

Project Outputs: To develop an evaluation framework for QI programmes. Developing evaluation methodology for Health Trusts and training organisations to use.

A Transfer Tool, an accessible document exploring the results and learning of the study, how to create the conditions for people to Transfer their learning in their organisations and a Peer Review article.

Methodology: The evaluation recognised the need to explore the impact of QI training manifesting changes of behaviour, influence and service and patient outcomes. Brinkerhoff’s success case model was  adapted involving a survey to all in NI who are Level 3 trained followed by in-depth interviews.

Our survey design was informed by a review of the literature, e.g. the habits of an ‘improver’ (Health Foundation 2015), but primarily a series of interviews with key stakeholders from across NI. Using these methods we sought to identify a series of questions that could be used to assess how participants had used their QI training in practice in terms of:

             Key behaviours,

            Tasks,

             Actions, and

             Tools and techniques

The survey developed consisted of 25 outcomes/activities thought to be most associated with success, and a section to record demographic and work /role related characteristics.  In-depth interviews were based on comparing successful and unsuccessful cases through story-telling and that involves two stages.  Using this approach, we sought to answer four questions:

• What, if any, specific applications of QI training are staff using in their workplace?
• What is the service value of these applications?
• What factors are supporting and inhibiting the application of training?
• What suggestions can be made to improve the impact of the training?

All surveys and interviews  have been conducted and analysed a virtual workshop with HSCQI members is planned to coproduce the Transfer Tool document.The reports are planned to be published early autumn.

Contact: Ruth Gray   Twitter account: @camperofdreams @QItransfer

Winners 2019

Title : Gamification for Human Factors led by the NHSCT.  Contact: Gill Smith, Innovation & Quality Improvement Lead

Aim : to extend the reach of access of Human Factor training, through the use of a ‘gamification’ approach.  The Game will be accessible by App via mobile phone devices.

Methodology : Quality Improvement and Agile design methodologies have been adopted; along with multi-disciplinary team input.

Current Status:  Phase 1 of the project has carried out in partnership with the School of Computing, University of Ulster, and has involved the development of the gamification strategy, requirements specification and characters and stories which form the basis of the design.  Phase 2 of the project will commence in August 2020 and will seek to convert the development work to date into an App suitable for commercial release.

The learning from the App is based around the journey of a patient called ‘Joe’ and his interactions with the health and care system.  As ‘gamers’ travel through the different levels of the game, they complete ‘missions’ and follow Joe’s experience.  As Joe’s journey unfolds it exposes ‘gamers’ to learning centred around Dupont’s Dirty Dozen – the 12 most common human factor elements which degrade a person’s ability for them to perform effectively and safely, which can lead to errors.  To progress to each new mission of the game ‘gamers’ must answer a series of questions to test their knowledge and reinforce their learning of human factors.  On completion of missions/levels ‘gamers’ will be awarded badges.

The App also provides links to additional learning resources and useful human factor references.

Contact: Gill Smith, Innovation & Quality Improvement Lead, NHSCT

Quality Improvement Training & Project Support for Trust Support Services by SET

Title: Quality Improvement Training & Project Support for Trust Support Services

Project Aim: The project aim is to develop a bespoke QI programme aimed at Support Services staff, helping these teams to build their capability to carry out QI projects and demonstrating to them how vital they are in contributing to the safety, quality and patient experience within our organisation.

Where we are currently at: Covod-19 impacted greatly on the progress of the project, but as we start to refocus, we are currently looking at renewing our timescales, recommencing our scoping exercise and looking towards how we can best move forward to support and train this group of staff in the most suitable format.

Plans: Plans for the coming months include connecting with staff from Support Services to look towards co-producing a programme that best meets their needs; further investigating accreditation to help promote buy-in to the programme; explore suitable delivery methods including the feasibility of a virtual or blended delivery approach and develop programme content that is applicable and relevant to this group of staff.

Contact: Carol Lutton (Project Lead), Associate Improvement Advisor, Safe & Effective Care,QIIC, Ulster Hospital Email: carol.lutton@setrust.hscni.net