QI 104: Interpreting Data: Run Charts, Control Charts, and Other Measurement Tools
QI 104: Interpreting Data: Run Charts, Control Charts, and Other Measurement Tools
Overview
In this course, we’ll delve into how to draw an effective run chart to create a compelling picture of your progress toward improvement. We’ll teach you to distinguish non-random patterns in your data — that is, evidence that performance has actually changed. Once you’ve got that down, we’ll introduce you to three more excellent tools for displaying and learning from data.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Draw a run chart that includes a baseline median, a goal line, and annotations.
- Describe the difference between common and special cause variation.
- Explain the purpose of a Shewhart (or control) chart.
- Apply four rules to identify non-random patterns on a run chart.
- Explain when and how to use the following tools for understanding variation in data: histograms, Pareto charts, and scatter plots.
Lessons
- Lesson 1: How to Display Data on a Run Chart
You'll learn the elements of an effective run chart for improvement work: an X and Y axis, 10 or more data points, the baseline median, and annotations of tests of change. You’ll have a chance to practice creating your own run chart for a hospital that’s trying to reduce wait times.
- Lesson 2: How to Learn from Run Charts and Control Charts
We'll explain the difference between common cause and special cause variation. We’ll teach you four rules to distinguish between these two causes of variation, and we’ll introduce you to another type of chart that can also help with this, called a Shewhart (or control) chart.
- Lesson 3: Histograms, Pareto Charts, and Scatter Plots
IHI’s Dave Williams, PhD, teaches you to use other charts that can also help you understand variation within data sets: histograms, Pareto charts, and scatter plots. These tools may help you from time to time in your improvement work.
Estimated Time of Completion: 1 hour 30 minutes
Continuing Education Credits
Course completion typically earns 1.5 Continuing Education credits. Please read the full details to ensure that this course offers your desired credit type. Learn more about Continuing Education credits
See full details
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity is approved to award 1.5 credit(s) toward Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) recertification.
This activity/program is approved by NAHQ® for 1.5 CPHQ CE credits.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:
- 1.5 Medical Knowledge MOC point(s) in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
- 1.5 MOC point(s) in the American Board of Pediatrics' (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
- 1.5 point(s) in the CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology's redesigned Maintenance of Certification in AnesthesiologyTM (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®. (Please consult the ABA website, www.theABA.org, for a list of all MOCA 2.0 requirements.)
- 1.5 point(s) in the American Board of Ophthalmology's Maintenance of Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to satisfy the Lifelong Learning requirements for the American Board of Ophthalmology's Maintenance of Certification program.
Successful completion of this activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, offers Lifelong Learning (MOC Part 2 CME) point(s) for the following boards:
- American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
- American Board of Allergy & Immunology (ABAI)
- American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery (ABCRS)
- American Board of Pathology (ABPath)
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (ABPN)
- American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
- American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM)
- American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)
- American Board of Urology (ABU)
Successful completion of this activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, offers Self-Assessment (MOC Part 2 SA) point(s) for the following boards:
- American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) (15pts)*
- American Board of Pediatrics (ABPed) (20pts)*
- American Board of Ophthalmology (ABOP)
- American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS)
- American Board of Radiology (ABR)
- American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR)
*ABPed and ABFM diplomates are required to complete all the selected courses within an activity to collect MOC activity points.
It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 general continuing education credits.
Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada are eligible to receive Mainpro+ Certified, Certified Assessment, or Non-Certified credits for participation in this activity due to reciprocal agreement with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
The AAFP has reviewed QI 104: Interpreting Data: Run Charts, Control Charts, and Other Measurement Tools and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.50 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Elective credit(s). Term of Approval is from 06/20/2024 to 06/20/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
For Hamad Medical Corporation Open School users, a DHP licensed practitioner can claim Category 2—Self- Directed Learning—Clinical Practice—Completing Self-Learning Modules by uploading their certificate to the CPD ePortfolio.
By attending QI 104 offered by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement participants may earn up to 1.5 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.
Subscriptions
This course is available in the following IHI Open School subscriptions: