Local improvement teams

Abstract

Improving how we safely and efficiently care for patients is a paramount issue for health care organizations. Yet, most institutions struggle with how to systematically achieve a continuously learning and improving program. Lack of organization, variability in clinical care, insufficient resources and competing agendas are common contributing factors to poor sustainability in quality improvement efforts. Local Improvement Teams (LITs) are unit or patient population-based teams that apply structured problem solving methodologies to improve care processes toward achieving the Institute of Medicine’s 6 aims: Safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care. LITs represent a fundamental aspect in creating an intelligent enterprise: The maturation of a frontline interface that connects the organization’s core competency with the needs of the patient. Team structure, process, training and launch strategies are described in this chapter along with tactics to develop standard work, daily accountability process and standard work for leaders.