Clinical Guides: Quality Improvement Guide v2: Disseminate

Spread involves replicating a successful initiative in new settings, ensuring that the lessons learned and benefits achieved in one area are applied elsewhere.

Why is it important?

Spread in a QI project ensures that:

Successful interventions benefit more patients, teams, and systems.
The project remains sustainable and efficient.
Organisational learning and compliance are strengthened.

How to spread a QI project

Identify what to spread
1. Clearly define the key improvements, processes, and outcomes from the initial project.
Secure leadership support
Engage key stakeholders
Adapt the project for the new context
Use effective communication and education
Implement in phases
1. Start with small-scale pilots before full rollout.
Monitor, evaluate and sustain

Example
Abela-Dimech, F., et al. (2017). Safe Searches: The Scale and Spread of a Quality Improvement Project. Journal for nurses in professional development, 33(5), 247–254.

Recommended resources:

Greenhalgh, T., et al. (2019). Spreading and scaling up innovation and improvement. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 365, l2068.
Papoutsi, C., et al. (2024). Approaches to Spread, Scale-Up, and Sustainability.

Stanford Quality Improvement. (2015). Spreading improvements.

Publish

Quality improvement (QI) projects can be published as journal articles or presented at conferences.

Why is it important?

Publishing a QI project in a journal or presenting at a conference:

Helps other healthcare professionals learn from successful interventions.
Strengthens the credibility of QI methodologies and outcomes.
Encourages a culture of shared learning within and beyond the organisation.
Encourages career progression, reputation, and writing/presenting skills of the author.
Provides evidence for policymakers and healthcare leaders to drive broader system improvements.

How to publish a QI project in a journal

Choose the right journal
Follow reporting guidelines
1. Use the SQUIRE 2.0 (Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence) framework for structuring your paper
2. Follow the author guidelines for your chosen journal
Conduct a literature search for supporting information
1. You may need assistance from a librarian.
Reference your sources
Submit your publication for review
Promote your research once its published

Recommended resources:

Literature Searching Guide

Writing, Referencing & Publishing Guide

Communicating Research Findings

Research Promotion & Impact Guide

Bates, T., et al. (2023). Publishing Quality Improvement Projects: Know the Guidelines Before Starting Your Project. Journal of pediatric health care, 37(6), 684–687.
Wong, B. M., et al. (2016). How to Write Up Your Quality Improvement Initiatives for Publication. Journal of graduate medical education, 8(2), 128–133.