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Developing a QI intervention involves designing targeted, evidence-based solutions that directly address the problem identified in your healthcare setting. A well-designed intervention is feasible, effective, and sustainable.

Why is it important?

An appropriate intervention:

  • Focuses on fixing underlying issues, not just symptoms.
  • Leads to safer, faster, and more effective healthcare services.
  • Can be scalable and long-lasting.

How to develop a QI intervention

Choose a solution that:

Plan the implementation by considering who will be involved, what the specific change will be, when the change will occur, and how it will be rolled out, including resources, training, and policies.

Example
An example intervention for ICU transfer delays may include a real-time bed tracking system, an ICU discharge co-ordinator, or a standardised checklist. Consider what intervention would be feasible in your context.

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Testing a QI intervention involves trialling a proposed change on a small scale to evaluate its effectiveness, feasibility, and impact before full implementation. The goal is to refine the intervention based on real-world data and feedback to ensure successful, sustainable improvement.

Why is it important?

Testing can:

  • Identify issues early and allow for adjustments before wider rollout.
  • Reduces risk and unintended negative effects.
  • Confirms that staff can implement the change effectively.
  • Engages frontline staff and builds confidence in the intervention.
  • Provides data to assess whether the intervention achieves the desired improvement.

How to test QI interventions

  1. Plan the test
    1. Define what change will be tested, who will be involved, where the test will occur, and how success will be measured
  2. Implement the intervention on a small scale
    1. Carry out the planned test in a limited setting (e.g., one ward, one shift).
  3. Collect data
    1. Observe how the intervention works, collect relevant data, seek staff feedback.
  4. Analyse the results
    1. Compare pre- and post-intervention data, identify what worked and what didn't
  5. Refine and expand the test or implement the change
Example
A QI project introduced a standardised handover checklist to reduce medication errors. It was tested with night shift nurses in one ward for two weeks, resulting in a 30% reduction in errors. Based on feedback that the checklist was too long, it was revised and then implemented across all wards.

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