Framing quality improvement tools and techniques in healthcare: the case of Improvement Leaders' Guides

Abstract

The paper presents a study of how quality improvement tools are framed within healthcare settings.\ud \ud The paper employs an interpretive approach to understand how quality improvement tools and techniques are mobilised and legitimated using a case study of the NHS Modernisation Agency Improvement Leaders’ Guides.\ud \ud Improvement Leaders’ Guides were framed within a service improvement approach encouraging the use of quality improvement tools and techniques within healthcare settings. Their use formed part of enacting tools and techniques across different contexts. Whilst this enactment was believed to support the mobililsation of tools and techniques, the experience also illustrated the challenges in distributing such approaches.\ud \ud The paper provides a contribution to our understanding of framing the 'social act' of quality improvement. Given the ongoing emphasis on quality improvement and the persistent challenges involved, it also provides information for healthcare leaders globally in seeking to develop, implement or modify similar tools and distribute leadership within health and social care settings.\ud \ud \u