Systematic review of the application of the plan-do-study-act method to improve quality in healthcare.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles provide a structure for iterative testing of changes to improve quality of systems. The method is widely accepted in healthcare improvement; however there is little overarching evaluation of how the method is applied. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for assessing the quality of application of PDSA cycles and explores the consistency with which the method has been applied in peer-reviewed literature against this framework.

Methods

NHS Evidence and Cochrane databases were searched by three independent reviewers. Empirical studies were included that reported application of the PDSA method in healthcare. Application of PDSA cycles was assessed against key features of the method, including documentation characteristics, use o

SUBMITTER: Taylor MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3963536 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature