In any setting of care, securing support from your leadership team is a critical first step in your quality improvement (QI) journey. As a participant in the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), engaging organizational leaders will position your team to achieve QI goals and sustain progress over time.
Buy-in from senior and departmental leaders not only ensures allocation of staff time and resources, but also sends a powerful message to your patients, providers and staff. Beyond an initial show of support, strategies for ongoing engagement include selecting a leadership sponsor, celebrating successes and helping your team overcome barriers.
Key Messages for Leaders
When presenting a new initiative to your manager or leader, be prepared to demonstrate how participation will:
1. Benefit your bottom line: Show how the initiative positions your organization for stronger financial performance. Examples include reducing hospital readmissions rates or improving nursing home quality measures.
2. Align with other initiatives: Does the project support corporate priorities or local efforts? Alignment reduces “initiative overload” and helps prevent burnout.
3. Increase satisfaction: Better care improves experiences for patients/residents and families, which contributes to staff retention and greater joy among health care providers.
4. Prepare your facility for the future: Will the project position you for future policy or regulatory changes? Getting ahead of new nursing home requirements or payment programs protects your organization and supports future growth.
HQIN Can Help
If you have already joined HQIN, you have taken the first and most important step in your QI journey. Take time now to make a plan for communicating with your senior leaders .
On the fence about signing up? HQIN participation positions you to improve nursing home quality, combat the opioid epidemic and address the challenges facing rural and vulnerable patients. Because HQIN is funded by Medicare, we deliver QI consultation and resources at no cost to you. Learn more and sign up today: