Elevate Health Sponsors Pioneers in the Science of Improvement

The first meeting of the Improvement Advisor Professional Development (IAPD) Group was held March 27 at the Elevate Health offices. The kick-off meeting is in preparation for an Improvement Coach Workshop in Boston, hosted by the Institute of Health Improvement.

Seven members representing six organizations will spend the next 10 months learning to become experts in using the Science of Improvement framework and coaching their organization’s staff in the use of the Model for Improvement. Once trained, they will take the framework back to their organizations.

As part of their training, the IAPD Group will each complete a project using Science of Improvement tools. Other members of their organization’s staff will be able to participate and learn as they coordinate on the project.

Projects range from behavioral health integration to reducing no-shows to improving well-child visits and immunizations, just to name a few. The group will meet monthly to share lessons learned and support each other in the implementation of the Science of Improvement.

The Science of Improvement and Model for Improvement empowers staff members to improve patient care and customer service. The method serves as a road map to identify elements of improvement, measure and studying the effect before deciding to either adjust and try again or to implement throughout the organization.

The IAPD Group was formed based on a Request for Proposal was sent by Elevate Health. Participating organizations selected employees to participate in the IAPD Program. Elevate Health is sponsoring the members with a stipend and will pay for workshop fees.