Qualis Health facilitated the CMS-sponsored QIO QI Intervention Strategies Collaborative to promote application of rapid-cycle improvement methodology to QIO internal process improvement and establish a forum for shared learning. All QIOs were invited to join the Collaborative. Participating QIOs used a Collaborative model based on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Breakthrough Series (BTS) model, actively participated in Collaborative learning sessions at the AHQA Technical and Tri-Regional conferences, and

1. helped to establish a standard taxonomy around intervention strategies and key activities,
2. worked in small groups of QIOs ("communities of practice") organized around particular clinical settings and topics to develop and implement plans to conduct rapid-cycle testing of internal QIO processes related to key intervention activities, and
3. shared what they learned with other QIO teams during and between learning sessions. Sharing occurred through a variety of media, including a dedicated e-mail list, monthly teleconferences, Web site postings, reports, and site visits. The result of this multi-modal sharing was the establishment of a QIO forum of common knowledge.

Learning sessions
Participating QIO teams worked in small groups, called communities of practice to develop plans to conduct rapid-cycle tests of internal QIO processes.

If you have questions, please contact Project Manager Naomi Maxey, MPA by e-mail at nmaxey@waqio.sdps.org.