A measurement instrument for spread of quality improvement in healthcare

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and test a measurement instrument for spread of quality improvement in healthcare. The instrument distinguishes: (i) spread of work practices and their results and (ii) spread practices and effectiveness. Relations between spread and sustainability of changed work practices were also explored to assess convergent validity. Design: We developed and tested a measurement instrument for spread in a follow-up study. The instrument consisted of 18-items with four subscales. Setting and participants: The sample consisted of former improvement teams in a quality improvement program for long-term care (nteams = 73, nrespondents = 127). Data were collected in a questionnaire about 1 year post-pilot site improvement implementation. Interventions: Quality improvements in long-term care practices. Main outcome measures: Four variables were construed: (i) actions for spread of work practices, (ii) actions for spread of results, (iii) effectiveness of spread of work practices and (iv) effectiveness of spread of results. Results: Psychometric analysis yielded positive results on the item level. The intended four-factor model yielded satisfactory fit. The internal consistency of each scale was fine (Cronbach's α 0.70-0.93). Bivariate correlations revealed that the spread variables were strongly related but distinct, and positively related to the sustainability variables. Conclusions: The psychometric properties are in line with methodological standards. Convergent validity was confirmed with sustainability. The measurement instrument offers a good starting point for the analysis of spread. © The Author 2013.Published by Oxford University Press in association with the International Society for Quality in Health Care; all rights reserved.