By David M. Williams, PhD Harvardx course Practical Improvement Science in Health Care with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. So we talked about data and collecting data, but how do we now convert data into something that we can visually see and enables us to build knowledge and learn. One of the simplest tools is to […]
Harnessing the Power of Data
in Health Care, Measurement, VideosBy David M. Williams, PhD Harvardx course Practical Improvement Science in Health Care with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. So very traditionally in almost every setting, whether it’s health care or education or business, people look at data all the time. But they don’t necessarily look at data in a way that’s helpful for understanding what’s […]
How to Use Data for Improvement
in Measurement, VideosBy David M. Williams, PhD Harvardx course Practical Improvement Science in Health Care with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. So, what is data? So what is data? Simply put, it’s information. It comes in many, many forms. It could be measurements, like measuring your body weight or measuring the size or the distance of something. It […]
Planning for Data Collection
in Measurement, VideosBy David M. Williams, PhD Harvardx course Practical Improvement Science in Health Care with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. So when you’re thinking about data, ask yourself, how do I get that data, and then how can I get just enough to learn. You also need to be thoughtful and intentional about the plan you develop […]
How Can Mr. Potato Head Help Teach PDSA?
in Building Capability, Measurement, PDSA, Videosby David M. Williams, Ph.D. Interview with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. — If this was helpful, share and include me @DaveWilliamsATX. Sign up here to receive a monthly email from me that includes all my blog posts and other Improvement Science resources I think you’d appreciate.
The Basic Improvement Toolkit
in Education, Measurement, VideosAs an improvement advisor in large scale improvement collaboratives, one of my responsibilities is to provide instruction on the theories and tools of improvement science. A key aim is to teach this content at a level appropriate for the audience and even more importantly enable people to turn around and apply the concepts to their own work. […]
Videos: Early Years Collaborative in Scotland – PDSA Testing & Measurement
in Education, Health Care, Measurement, PDSA, VideosThe Early Years Collaborative in Scotland aims to make Scotland the ‘best place to grow up’ by improving the outcomes of children from prenatal care through entry into primary school. This includes focus on prenatal care, health and wellness, childhood development, parental engagement, and improving the family environment. David M. Williams, Ph.D. (@DaveWilliamsATX) supports the […]
Did Homicides Really Go Down in Austin?
in Measurement“Murder Numbers Decrease” is the headline in today’s Austin-American Statesman. Public safety reporter Ciara O’Rourke reports on the Austin Police Department’s homicide data released for 2013. Her report indicates there were 24 homicides in Austin in 2013 and that was the least amount in the last three years. Has the homicide rate in Austin really […]
U.K. Ambulance Today – Ambulance Trigger Tools
in Measurement, ResearchThe Winter edition of Ambulance Today, Europe’s leading ambulance magazine, featured an article authored by David M. Williams, Ph.D. The piece focused on efforts in the U.S.A. and U.K. to develop a Global Trigger Tool to measure patient harm in ambulance services based on the in-hospital Global Trigger Tool developed by the Institute for Healthcare […]
What charting software should you use?
in MeasurementBy David M. Williams, PhD Understanding variation is an essential part of improvement work. Using run charts and Shewhart control charts to track measures and learn about processes is key. So, a common question I get is: What software should I use? Here are three recommendations for most users. 1) Microsoft Office Excel (or equivalent) […]