In another example of the old saw, “it's not the tool, it's how you use it,” the Journal of Quality and Patient Safety published a study ($20 full text) by the University Health System Consortium. A survey of 41 organizations to determine the organizational elements that predict successful performance improvement program and support change initiatives. Eight factors were identified for an effective performance improvement program:

1.  Strong administrative executive and performance improvement leadership
2.  Active involvement of the Board of Trustees
3.  Effective oversight structure
4.  Expert performance improvement staff
5.  Physician involvement and accountability
6.  Active staff involvement
7.  Effective use of information resources/data for decision making
8.  Effective communication strategy

They concluded that organizational processes and structures are prerequisites to improving health care quality and productivity.

[Source: FCG Clinical Performance and Pay for Performance News Summary]