scholarly journals Strengthening quality assurance by implementing an evidence-based revision of a ward accreditation programme

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Frazer Underwood ◽  
Louise Dickinson ◽  
Kim O’Keeffe ◽  
Bernadette George
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Accreditation Programme

Development of an Evidence-Based Approach to External Quality Assurance for Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Immunohistochemistry: Comparison of Reference Values

2011 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
pp. 874-881
Author(s):  
Nikita Makretsov ◽  
C. Blake Gilks ◽  
Reza Alaghehbandan ◽  
John Garratt ◽  
Louise Quenneville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Progesterone Receptor ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
External Quality Assurance ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
External Quality ◽  
Test Sensitivity

Abstract Context.—External quality assurance and proficiency testing programs for breast cancer predictive biomarkers are based largely on traditional ad hoc design; at present there is no universal consensus on definition of a standard reference value for samples used in external quality assurance programs. Objective.—To explore reference values for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor immunohistochemistry in order to develop an evidence-based analytic platform for external quality assurance. Design.—There were 31 participating laboratories, 4 of which were previously designated as “expert” laboratories. Each participant tested a tissue microarray slide with 44 breast carcinomas for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and submitted it to the Canadian Immunohistochemistry Quality Control Program for analysis. Nuclear staining in 1% or more of the tumor cells was a positive score. Five methods for determining reference values were compared. Results.—All reference values showed 100% agreement for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor scores, when indeterminate results were excluded. Individual laboratory performance (agreement rates, test sensitivity, test specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and κ value) was very similar for all reference values. Identification of suboptimal performance by all methods was identical for 30 of 31 laboratories. Estrogen receptor assessment of 1 laboratory was discordant: agreement was less than 90% for 3 of 5 reference values and greater than 90% with the use of 2 other reference values. Conclusions.—Various reference values provide equivalent laboratory rating. In addition to descriptive feedback, our approach allows calculation of technical test sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values, agreement rates, and κ values to guide corrective actions.

Quality Assurance and Institutional Research for University Strategic Management

2020 ◽  
pp. 287-308
Author(s):  
Ngepathimo Kadhila ◽  
Gilbert Likando
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Institutional Research ◽  
The World ◽  
The University ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

Strategic management in higher education (HE) has become data-reliant. Most higher education institutions (HEIs) all over the world have implemented quality assurance (QA) and institutional research (IR) with the purpose of generating data that that would assist in evidence-based decision making for better strategic management. However, data generated through QA and IR processes have to be integrated and streamlined in order to successfully inform strategic management. One of the challenges facing higher education institutions is to integrate the data generated by QA and IR processes effectively. This chapter examines examples of good practice for integrating the data generated by these processes for use as tools to inform strategic management, using the University of Namibia as a reference point. The chapter offers suggestions on how higher education institutions may be assisted to overcome challenges when integrating the outcomes of QA and IR processes in order to close the quality loop through effective strategic management.

Promoting Program Fidelity through Peer-Assisted Supervision and Support

2017 ◽  
pp. 405-416
Author(s):  
Kerri E. McPherson ◽  
Birgit Schroeter
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Parenting Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Parenting Interventions ◽  
Peer Supervision ◽  
Program Fidelity ◽  
Supervision Models ◽  
Quality Assurance Mechanism ◽  
Support Model

This chapter makes the case for the adoption of practitioner supervision as a quality assurance mechanism for the implementation of parenting interventions. This chapter addresses the need for effective and efficient supervision and posttraining support for the evidence-based program workforce to ensure the sustainability of delivery and the ongoing maintenance of program fidelity. Alongside other fidelity mechanisms, supervision can help develop practitioners’ confidence and competence in delivery and promote adherence to intervention protocols. Peer supervision has the potential to be both efficient and effective and may be more acceptable to stakeholders than traditional hierarchical supervision models. The Peer-Assisted Supervision and Support model is described, and findings describing its acceptability and feasibility to parenting program practitioners are presented.

Evidence-Based Assurance to Support Process Quality in the F/OSS Community

2007 ◽  
pp. 120-146
Author(s):  
Anas Tawileh ◽  
Omer F. Rana ◽  
Wendy Ivins ◽  
Stephen McIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Development Process ◽  
End Users ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Substantial Growth ◽  
Development Processes

This chapter investigates the quality issues of the free and open source software (F/OSS) development processes. It argues that software developed within the F/OSS paradigm has witnessed substantial growth rates within the software developers’ community. However, end users from outside the community are still sceptical about adopting F/OSS because of the perceived lack of quality assurance mechanisms within the F/OSS development process. The authors aim to promote higher adoption of F/OSS artefacts outside the developers’ community by exploring possibilities to provide appropriate evidence based assurances that F/OSS artefacts will meet the quality levels expected by users.

scholarly journals 332 Quality Assurance in Telehealth: Adherence to Evidence-Based Indicators

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. S131-S132
Author(s):  
A. Shah ◽  
A.M. Chang ◽  
J.E. Hollander ◽  
D. Halpren-Ruder
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Evidence Based

602 Managing Hypothermia in the Surgical Burn Patient

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S144-S144
Author(s):  
Patricia Regojo ◽  
Molly Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Core Body Temperature ◽  
Temperature Management ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Burn Patients ◽  
Estimated Blood Loss ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Burn Unit ◽  
Burn Patient

Abstract Introduction It is known, hypothermia, core body temperature at or below 36oC/96.8oF, can lead to dangerous complications for burn patients. Due to loss of their protective thermoregulation, burn patients are at an increased risk of hypothermia during surgery. Findings from a Quality Assurance audit revealed burn patients were returning from surgery hypothermic and hemodynamically unstable. There was little evidence of intra-operative temperature management in the electronic medical record (EMR) or reported to the nurse upon the patients’ return from the operating room (OR). Only 73% of patients had temperatures recorded during their surgery and of those, 40% had a drop of temperature >2 degrees from their baseline. The purpose of this collaborative evidence-based quality assurance project was to improve temperature management in the operating room and prevent hypothermia in the intra and post operative periods. Our aim was to develop warming methods pre-operatively that would establish a goal for keeping the patients’s temperature within 2 degrees of their baseline preoperative temperature during surgery. Methods A literature search obtained from CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and MEDLINE from 2010–2018, provided current surgical guidelines and evidence-based practices for managing surgical hypothermia in burn patients (levels of evidence I, III, V, & VI). Recommendations from the burn unit staff for preoperative warming initiatives were listed and shared with the OR staff. Hemodynamic documentation, including core temperature, estimated blood loss, and intra-operative warming methods were monitored for twelve months after the Burn Unit Warming Protocol was implemented. Progress was reported quarterly in our Burn and Trauma Quality Committees. Results After implementing the Burn Unit Warming Protocol, temperature management of the burn patient improved. Intra-operative warming methods were initiated. Patients began returning from surgery warmer with improved hemodynamics. 96% of the patients had their temperatures recorded and managed intra-operatively. Of those patients, only 2.6% had a drop in temperature > 2 degrees from their pre-operative baseline. Conclusions Implementing a nurse-driven warming protocol from the pre-operative stage through surgery can aid in reducing post-operative hypothermia in burn patients. Applicability of Research to Practice Managing hypothermia will help reduce complications that can lead to increase morbidity and mortality in burn patients.

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