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Forming the Team

Model for Improvement

Accomplishing system-wide improvement of care for people with chronic conditions will require the support and participation of everyone in the organization. This includes not only your clinical staff, but anyone who is involved in patient care. In addition, it is essential that the efforts to improve care be actively supported by the organization’s leadership, including the CEO and Board of Directors. An organization will typically identify a core team of staff to drive the improvement work, but successful implementation of change requires the participation of everyone in the organization.


For more information and general tips on forming the team, see Improvement Methods.


Examples of Effective Teams

Diabetes Example:

Aim: Redesign the organization's systems to provide comprehensive care to our diabetic patients. This will be accomplished through patient self-management education and follow-up, decision support, delivery systems, information systems, community relationships, and leadership.

Team:

Team Leader: Internal Medicine MD, Provider Champion

Clinical/Technical Expert: Medical Assistant

Day-to-Day Leader: RN Patient Care Director

Other Team Members: Dental Director, Chief Executive Officer



Asthma Example:

Aim: Implement components of the Chronic Care Model to show a 40% increase in symptom-free days and 50% decrease in ER visits. 90% of patients with persistent asthma will be treated with antiinflammatory meds, and at least 90% of patients will have a written asthma action plan.

Team:

Team Leader: Clinical Services Director

Clinical/Technical Expert: Certified Family Nurse Practictioner

Day-to-Day Leader (key contact): Asthma Nursing Coordinator



Depression Example:

Aim: Redesign the clinical process to improve the care of depression via identification, structured assessment, and access to continuing treatment options. This will be achieved by implementing all components of the Chronic Care Model so that 60% of patients with a diagnosis of depression will have a PHQ score of <5 at their last visit.

Team:

Team Leader/Physician Champion: Medical Director

Clinical/Technical Expert: Clinic Director

Day-to-Day Leader: Quality Coordinator

Other Team Members: Chief Executive Officer, Case Manager, Data Coordinator, Office Manager