Kilo C. Improving care through collaboration. Pediatrics. 1999;103(1, supplement):384-393.

This article describes the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Breakthrough Series model for improvement. It is about collaborative improvement methods that accelerate the rate of diffusion of existing science into clinical practice.

Flamm B, Berwick D, Kabcenell A. Reducing cesarean section rates safely: Lessons from a "Breakthrough Series" Collaborative. Birth. 1998;25(2):117-124.

The objective of the project described in this article was to test the hypothesis that a structured collaborative improvement effort can help participating health organizations to reduce their cesarean delivery rates safely.

Bevan H, Layton A, Penny J. Management issues in health care: A "Breakthrough" approach to reducing delays and patient waiting times. Clinician in Management. 2000;9:27-31.

The Breakthrough Series and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement are described as an excellent resource in the British collaborative to improve their healthcare system. Mentions the model for improvement, teamwork based programs and collaborative meetings.

Berwick D, Nolan T. Physicians as leaders in improving health care. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1998;128:289-292.

The introductory article in a series of six articles that explore new roles and important competencies for physicians to better equip them to be effective citizens in improving the systems in which they work.

Berwick DM. Developing and testing changes in delivery of care. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1998;128(8):651-656.

Describes small-scale testing, namely Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles are explained.

Berwick D. Controlling variation in health care: A consultation from Walter Shewhart. Medical Care. 1991;29:1212-1225.

A "user friendly" exploration of some of the technical issues in statistics and understanding variation that provided the bedrock for modern quality management methods in many industries, and that have great potential for health care. This includes a simple explanation of the theory and practice of statistical quality control.

Berwick DM. A primer on leading the improvement of systems. British Medical Journal. 1996;312:619-622.

A brief summary of basic methods for improving complex systems, including implications for leadership deeds, this paper explains and explores the Model for Improvement originally developed by Associates in Process Improvement, and now widely used throughout the world.

Baker GR. Collaborating for improvement: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Breakthrough Series. New Medicine: 1997;1:5-8.

A general description of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Breakthrough Series.

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Brassard M (Editor)
Methuen, Massachusetts, USA: GOAL/QPC; 1985

Pocket-sized reference with brief entries on the construction and use of flowcharts, cause-and effect diagrams, check sheets, Pareto diagrams, run charts, histograms, scatter diagrams, and control charts. A "reminder" when you are getting ready to use a tool you have seen before and need a refresher on construction details.

Williams B
New York, New York, USA: John Wiley & Sons; 1978

Useful discussion of sampling and basic statistics.