FACILITY LEVEL
The ultimate aim of quality improvement efforts is to deliver quality at the point of care in health facilities. Activities that health workers can undertake to improve the quality of health services and patient outcomes take place across a wide range of facilities where health services are provided to the population, including large to small hospitals and clinics, and primary care centres in both rural and urban areas. This section focuses on health facilities and describes the activities that health workers can undertake to improve the quality of health services and patient outcomes.
Not all quality-related challenges can be addressed at the facility level. In some cases, facility-level activity and progress are influenced by what happens nationally and in districts. However, those working at the facility level may be naturally more motivated to work on problems that are identified locally, by both health providers and the local community.
Summary of actions:
- Commit to district aims and identify clear facility improvement aim(s)
- Establish, organize and support multidisciplinary QI teams – prepare for action
- Conduct situational analysis/baseline assessment to identify gaps
- Adopt standards of care
- Identify QI activities – develop action plan
- Undertake continuous measurement of outcomes
- Focus on continuous improvement – sustain
To support implementation of key activities at the national-level, you are encouraged to review the WHO Quality Toolkit
