NorthStar: A Tool for Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Author Information
Author(s): Akl Elie A, Treweek Shaun, Foy Robbie, Francis Jill, Oxman Andrew D
Primary Institution: Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA
Hypothesis
Can a software tool improve the design and evaluation of quality improvement interventions in healthcare?
Conclusion
NorthStar is an integrated, accessible, practical, and acceptable tool to assist developers and evaluators of quality improvement interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- NorthStar consists of 18 sections covering the design and evaluation of QI interventions.
- Potential users reported above-moderate levels of confidence in carrying out QI research tasks using NorthStar.
- The tool is designed to be user-friendly and accessible for a diverse audience.
Takeaway
NorthStar is a helpful tool that makes it easier for people to improve healthcare by guiding them on how to plan and evaluate their projects.
Methodology
A preliminary evaluation was conducted through a survey of potential users regarding the acceptability and perceived utility of NorthStar.
Potential Biases
Potential technical barriers may discourage some users from utilizing NorthStar effectively.
Limitations
The evaluation had a small sample size and limited representativeness, and did not assess the impact of NorthStar on actual QI intervention outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Participants included healthcare researchers, practitioners, and managers, with varying levels of experience in quality improvement research.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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