STEP 3

Decide which target to focus on

Implementation steps

1. Define potential targets with your team

From the gaps in care results, now it is a good time to decide with your team, what are the specific targets that you would like to work on? It will be very helpful to produce a detailed inventory of the strengths of your organization (available resources, existing programs, tools, expertise, etc.) because at this step, these are the key elements of success (especially in the short term).

  • This will be a good time to create a committee with key front line people and decision-makers. In addition, the early involvement of these people will enable the project to receive the support of appropriate resources and will help ensure its continuity over time. Keep your committee informed and involved.

2. Prioritize the targets that you would like
    to work on

You will certainly need to prioritize your targets. If you nonetheless choose several areas that need improvement, you should decide upon an order based on existing opportunities (such as available resources, programs already in place). Some targets will be quickly achievable (short term) and will win you support from other stakeholders. This may be a good time to prepare a presentation to your hospital management because now you have more information to prepare a stronger case, and to more specifically define the required resources to have a positive impact on patients with COPD.

Remember that you are working towards the continuous improvement of your institution's practice.

In real life, you will be selecting which priorities to work on. Once implemented,  you will proceed to the maintenance phase, where you will face other priorities and will have to initiate a new cycle of improvement. This likewise applies to new knowledge coming from new evidence-based guidelines or "Knowledge transfer" that you will want to implement in your institution. This is why we portray CDM Quality Care as a continuous loop.

REMEMBER THAT TARGETS SHOULD BE SMART 1

  • Specific: clearly spelled out; use action verbs.
  • Measurable: numeric or descriptive; quantity, quality, cost.
  • Attainable: feasible; appropriately limited in scope; within the committee's control and influence.
  • Results-oriented: measures outputs or results (not activities); includes products, accomplishments.
  • Time frames: identify target dates; include interim steps and a plan to monitor progress.

Remember that outcomes should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, Time frames.