scholarly journals Best Practices for Quality Improvement—Lessons from Top Ranked Engineering Institutions

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Potti Srinivasa Rao ◽  
K. G. Viswanadhan ◽  
Raghunandana K.

<p class="apa">Maximum number of privately funded engineering institutions have been established in India in the last two decades to meet the growing needs of technical manpower required by the Engineering and IT companies as well as aspiring students after completion of the Pre-University Program. However, a large number of institutions have not been able to attract the talented students for their undergraduate programs. The private managements of those institutions have realized then, the need for maintaining high quality in imparting engineering education. In addition, the regulatory bodies like NBA insist on maintaining the quality in the educational programs before giving accreditation. Therefore, the young institutes need to know the best practices adopted by the high performing institutions and introduce those best practices in their programs. In this paper, an attempt has been made to identify the best practices of the reputed and ranking institutes, to classify and codify those practices so as to enable the young institutes to implement them. Quality indicators have been identified through literature review, by summarizing previous studies, by conducting discussion with experts in the field. A few top ranked engineering institutions are selected to identify and list the best practices, by referring to the finding of various magazines. Practices followed with respect to the quality indicators identified have been composed by conducting structured interviews and discussions with various core groups &amp; stake holders of these institutions. The details of literature review, data collection &amp; analysis, findings and policy implications of the research work are presented in this paper. The best practices enlisted through this study will act as guidelines to implement the quality initiatives for the young institutions.</p>

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saber Azami-Aghdash ◽  
Ahmad Moosavi ◽  
Hojatolah Gharaee ◽  
Ghader Sadeghi ◽  
Haleh Mousavi Isfahani ◽  
...  

Abstracts Background Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PEC) is a fundamental property of prevention of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs). Thus, this sector requires a system for evaluation and performance improvement. This study aimed to develop quality indicators to measure PEC for RTIs. Methods Following the related literature review, 14 experts were interviewed through semi-structured interviews to identify Quality Measurement Indicators (QMIs). The extracted indicators were then categorized into three domains: structure, performance, and management. Finally, the identified QMIs were confirmed through two rounds of the Delphi technique. Results Using literature review 11 structural, 13 performance, and four managerial indicators (A total of 28 indicators) were identified. Also, four structural, four performance, and three managerial indicators (A total of 11indicators) were extracted from interviews with experts. Two indicators were excluded after two rounds of Delphi’s technics. Finally, 14 structural, 16 performance and, seven managerial indicators (A total of 37indicators) were finalized. Conclusion Due to the importance and high proportion of RTIs compared to other types of injuries, this study set out to design and evaluate the QMIs of PEC delivered for RTIs. The findings of this research contribute to measuring and planning aimed at improving the performance of PEC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Pretto Báo ◽  
Simone Coelho Amestoy ◽  
Gisela Maria Schebella Souto de Moura ◽  
Letícia de Lima Trindade

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze how nurses recognize and use quality indicators, aimed at contributing to the management of best practices in Health. Method: Case study with a qualitative approach, conducted with twelve nurses from a hospital in southern Brazil from March to May 2016. For data collection, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used. Data were subjected to content analysis, in the thematic modality. Results: The data showed that quality indicators are regarded as a tool for measuring health care outcomes, promoting the improvement of continuous care, assisting in the clinical decision-making and being present in discussions with the nursing team, in addition to contributing to the management of best practices in Health. Final Consideration: Quality indicator may support improvements in health services and in the nursing work, strengthening health policies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Perlman

The consequences of planning issues like suburban sprawl are well-known in academia and the planning profession, however there is a disconnect between this knowledge and the actions of decision-makers, as well as, the populations who elect them. It is argued that if students in Ontario were better informed or knowledgeable about urban planning issues within the high school curricula, then there could be a stronger framework for which to improve upon planning urban regions according to best practices and principles. A focus is placed on geography education and the provincial geography curriculum due to it having the strongest potential for inclusion of this topic. Through a literature review and semi-structured interviews with educators and planners, this paper examines the current geography curriculum, best practices, as well as the barriers to incorporating urban planning issues into high school geography classrooms. Lastly, recommendations are provided for stakeholders in the planning and geography education professions on how to overcome these barriers.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 208-208
Author(s):  
Robert D. Siegel ◽  
Holley Stallings ◽  
Donna M. Bryant ◽  
Pamela Kadlubek ◽  
Laurel Borowski ◽  
...  

208 Background: The NCCCP is a network of community based institutions from New England to Hawaii funded by the NCI. Quality of care is a priority of the NCCCP with participation in ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) playing a fundamental role. QOPI provides a process for quality assessment but we have also used it as a measure of quality improvement (QI) network-wide. Using QOPI methodology, we have analyzed our performance twice a year in an effort to enhance our implementation of quality indicators relevant to program aims. Methods: A data sharing agreement allows individual practice QOPI data to be electronically sent to the NCI where it is aggregated with the other NCCCP QOPI participants. Data are presented via webinar within the network using a variety of QI strategies. For example, blinded site performance distributions are benchmarked against NCCCP national averages on specific indicators. High performing practices voluntarily present their QI initiatives and best practices to the network. The NCCCP Quality of Care Subcommittee then selects QI projects and areas to focus quality improvement efforts. Results: In Spring 2012, 44 practices affiliated with 25 NCCCP sites participated in QOPI, a consistent pattern since Fall 2010. The table below describes the percent compliance with certain QOPI measures for the NCCCP aggregate over time. Selected measures were perceived as having had suboptimal compliance in Fall 2010. Conclusions: QOPI is an effective tool for assessing quality within a network and for measuring quality improvement efforts. Best practices from within the network can be leveraged and disseminated to enhance the quality of cancer care. This methodology facilitates quality initiatives despite the logistical challenges of working with practices across the country. [Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Perlman

The consequences of planning issues like suburban sprawl are well-known in academia and the planning profession, however there is a disconnect between this knowledge and the actions of decision-makers, as well as, the populations who elect them. It is argued that if students in Ontario were better informed or knowledgeable about urban planning issues within the high school curricula, then there could be a stronger framework for which to improve upon planning urban regions according to best practices and principles. A focus is placed on geography education and the provincial geography curriculum due to it having the strongest potential for inclusion of this topic. Through a literature review and semi-structured interviews with educators and planners, this paper examines the current geography curriculum, best practices, as well as the barriers to incorporating urban planning issues into high school geography classrooms. Lastly, recommendations are provided for stakeholders in the planning and geography education professions on how to overcome these barriers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
R. Varisa Patraporn

Khmer Girl’s in Action is a nonprofit that successfully utilizes community-based participatory research (CBPR) with university partners to create social change for youth in Long Beach, CA. Based on semi-structured interviews and content analysis of news articles, I explore the impact and sustainability of this research work and the research partnerships. Findings highlight impacts such as youth empowerment, heightened awareness around community needs, policy change, and CBPR curriculum improvements in the field as impacts. Sustainability requires integrating research into program funding, utilizing a tailored training curriculum, building on community members prior relationships, and selecting partners that share common goals, levels of commitment, and flexibility. As funders demand more data to justify community needs, understanding more examples of such work in the Asian American community will be useful for informing future partnerships.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srijesa Khasnabish ◽  
Zoe Burns ◽  
Madeline Couch ◽  
Mary Mullin ◽  
Randall Newmark ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Data visualization experts have identified core principles to follow when creating visual displays of data that facilitate comprehension. Such principles can be applied to creating effective reports for clinicians that display compliance with quality improvement protocols. A basic tenet of implementation science is continuous monitoring and feedback. Applying best practices for data visualization to reports for clinicians can catalyze implementation and sustainment of new protocols. OBJECTIVE To apply best practices for data visualization to create reports that clinicians find clear and useful. METHODS First, we conducted a systematic literature review to identify best practices for data visualization. We applied these findings and feedback collected via a questionnaire to improve the Fall TIPS Monthly Report (FTMR), which shows compliance with an evidence-based fall prevention program, Fall TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety). This questionnaire was based on the requirements for effective data display suggested by expert Stephen Few. We then evaluated usability of the FTMR using a 15-item Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-ITUES). Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). RESULTS The results of the systematic literature review emphasized that the ideal data display maximizes the information communicated while minimizing the cognitive efforts involved with data interpretation. Factors to consider include selecting the correct type of display (e.g. line vs bar graph) and creating simplistic reports. The qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the original and final FTMR revealed improved perceptions of the visual display of the reports and their usability. Themes that emerged from the staff interviews emphasized the value of simplified reports, meaningful data, and usefulness to clinicians. The mean (SD) rating on the Health-ITUES scale when evaluating the original FTMR was 3.86 (0.19) and increased to 4.29 (0.11) when evaluating the revised FTMR (Mann Whitney U Test, z=-12.25, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Best practices identified through a systematic review can be applied to create effective reports for clinician use. The lessons learned from evaluating FTMR perceptions and measuring usability can be applied to creating effective reports for clinician use in the context of other implementation science projects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Conley ◽  
Diana Bilimoria

Abstract In this study, we investigate the obstacles to growth and the mitigating strategies of high-performing (over $1 million in revenues) entrepreneurial businesses, and how these differ between businesses owned by Black and White entrepreneurs and between female and male entrepreneurs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory and thematic analysis methods. Findings reveal that the lack of access to capital is faced by all groups of entrepreneurs, but that Black and female entrepreneurs additionally faced racial discrimination and gender bias obstacles to their business growth. While all entrepreneurs used social capital strategies to mitigate the barriers to growth that their businesses faced, Black and female entrepreneurs additionally employed faith and prayer as well as business engagement in governmental and corporate diversity initiatives as strategies to overcome the obstacles. Implications of the findings for the entrepreneurial business growth of racial/ethnic minority and female-owned firms are discussed.


Logistics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Hicham Lamzaouek ◽  
Hicham Drissi ◽  
Naima El Haoud

The bullwhip effect is a pervasive phenomenon in all supply chains causing excessive inventory, delivery delays, deterioration of customer service, and high costs. Some researchers have studied this phenomenon from a financial perspective by shedding light on the phenomenon of cash flow bullwhip (CFB). The objective of this article is to provide the state of the art in relation to research work on CFB. Our ambition is not to make an exhaustive list, but to synthesize the main contributions, to enable us to identify other interesting research perspectives. In this regard, certain lines of research remain insufficiently explored, such as the role that supply chain digitization could play in controlling CFB, the impact of CFB on the profitability of companies, or the impacts of the omnichannel commerce on CFB.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4455
Author(s):  
Thao Thi Phuong Bui ◽  
Suzanne Wilkinson ◽  
Niluka Domingo ◽  
Casimir MacGregor

In the light of climate change, the drive for zero carbon buildings is known as one response to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Within New Zealand, research on climate change mitigation and environmental impacts of buildings has received renewed attention. However, there has been no detailed investigation of zero carbon building practices. This paper undertakes an exploratory study through the use of semi-structured interviews with government representatives and construction industry experts to examine how the New Zealand construction industry plans and implements zero carbon buildings. The results show that New Zealand’s construction industry is in the early stage of transiting to a net-zero carbon built environment. Key actions to date are focused on devising a way for the industry to develop and deliver zero carbon building projects. Central and local governments play a leading role in driving zero carbon initiatives. Leading construction firms intend to maximise the carbon reduction in building projects by developing a roadmap to achieve the carbon target by 2050 and rethinking the way of designing and constructing buildings. The research results provide an insight into the initial practices and policy implications for the uptake of zero carbon buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand.


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