A continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan consistently studies and attempts to improve the

processes of providing health care services to meet the needs of patients and others.1 CQI plans
are an approach to quality management. They build upon traditional quality assurance methods
by emphasizing the organization and systems: it focuses on "process" rather than the individual;
it recognizes both internal and external "customers"; it promotes the need for objective data to
analyze and improve processes.1
At UPMC each year the cancer center is responsible for identifying an area that is in need of
change, this ensures quality where needed. In talking with the department manager about our
facilities CQI plan I was able to identify the plans members, components and evaluation process.
The CQI team includes a member from each area of the department; a therapist, a nurse, a
manager, a Physician, a clerical member and a Physicist. The components of the process are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Identify an overall goal (problem/issue to change)

Team response or brainstorming ideas
Voting of best CQI process to use
Plan out the details of the CQI process
Put the program into action
Study the results to see if a quality change occurred
Act on the results to ensure a permanent change

1 Lenards N. Operational issues in radiation oncology: continuous quality improvement. [Power

Point]. La Crosse, WI: UW-L Medical Dosimetry Program; 2011.