Collaborative Improvement
Jim serves as safety and quality improvement expert on a number of active and recently completed collaborative projects involving as many as 48 organizations. Each of these projects has been unique; some focused on one evidence-based clinical improvement, others have been focused on more general topics such as patient safety or pain management. This list includes the NICQ and iNICQ (web-based) collaboratives of the Vermont Oxford Network; the Flo Collaborative to improve transitions across health systems; Trillium Gift of Life collaborative to improve organ and tissue donation and IC5 - improving continence care in complex continuing care.
Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare
Jim developed a series of self-assessment tools to improve human factors and ergonomics in the Neonatal ICU. Based on a review of NICU hazards, risks and error experience, this publication is part of the Vermont Oxford Network's Tools for Improvement series. The series is also the basis for a course conducted at several healthcare organizations. Jim has also conducted several reviews of human factors in relation to patient safety concerns, adverse events and the human-system integration in unit design and equipment acquisition. He serves as a Senior Associate Consultant with HumanSystems Inc.
Methods and Tools for Improvement
There are several tools and methods deployed in safety and quality improvement and Jim makes a point of learning about them, observing them in action and determining which ones persistently come forward as tools that make a difference. Improvision has conducted training and development on basic methods such as the Model for Improvement and PDSA, quality tools such as flow diagrams, run and control charts as well at tools for team-based management (Hoshin), creativity and systems thinking.
Application of the Toyota Production System
Recently the Toyota Production System, called Lean by many, has caught attention in healthcare and has begun to be adapted. The removal waste is imperative for sustainable and continuous improvement. Success has come to the few who have devoted extensive time and energy to developing their own people in lessons they are adapting through their own experience. Improvision is supporting this development as Jim completed a certificate program at the University of Michigan and has formed an affiliation with Sensei Erik Hager of Lean Productivity Systems Inc. based in Brantford, Ontario.
Keynotes on Healthcare Safety and QI
Jim provides keynotes for association conferences and organizations interested in inspiring, motivating and educating people on the topics of patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare. This has included Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society, Ontario Long Term Care Association, Operating Room Nurses Association of Ontario, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Ontario Hospital Association and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Creativity and Innovation
Improvement requires innovation. Ideas are the lifeblood of effective change. Jim is certified in Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking - two tool sets widely acknowledged to provide teams with the means to take innovation to new new levels. Parallel thinking of the Six Hats method cuts meeting times and provides innovation with an operating system that takes teams beyond argument or adversity and enables creativity to thrive. The lateral thinking tools make the generation of ideas into a process that consistently yield remarkable results. Jim taught these tools to people at one of the world's most innovative enterprises - 3M.
Web based improvement
The web provides extensive opportunity to accelerate improvement. Jim is currently involved in developments involving the use of web technologies (Web 2.0) to aid improvement at the point of care and in multi-organization collaboratives. Keeping team members connected, informed and engaged has never been easier. Beyond the mere one-way delivery of information; the web can be an active and productive home base for improvement in safety and quality. Blogs, forums, wikis, and real time web-based networking are all demonstrating value.