An Operational Guide to Implementing Quality Improvement Programs in Support of the Global HIV and AIDS Response

Overview

This document is intended for programs and teams seeking to start QI programs who have little to no experience in QI. Local implementing partners, international non-governmental organizations, MOHs, and other organizations can refer to this document to learn from EGPAF’s QI approach as they build or strengthen their own QI program. Stakeholders interested in collaborating with EGPAF for technical assistance or new business opportunities should refer to this document to gain a baseline understanding of EGPAF’s QI approach and the value it will add to a project when integrated into a workplan and EGPAF is named as a project stakeholder.

Individuals and teams using this document should familiarize themselves with EGPAF’s QI Technical Approach (see Overview of EGPAF’s QI Technical Approach section) to build familiarity with the basic QI principles from which EGPAF draws. Readers will then be prepared to review the Operationalizing QI section, which breaks down implementation into four-phases.¹ Each phase includes a list of Key Activities that define the main work to be completed during that stage in the implementation process.² For each Key Activity, a list of Milestones is included to further operationalize the phase into actionable steps that teams can be sure to complete as they move through the phases. These lists of key activities and milestones are the main accomplishments a program should strive to complete when initiating a QI program; these lists are not exhaustive, and programs may choose to add, omit, or adapt certain activities and milestones based on their context and resources.

^{1 This document intentionally focuses on the QI process. Contributors acknowledge that quality assurance and performance measurement is a key step in QI that should not be minimized. Therefore, a separate, forthcoming document will be dedicated to guidance on this topic so EGPAF can detail its extensive experience and existing tools.}

^{2 Community engagement is a vital element of the QI process. Information about tools to support community engagement in QI (e.g., EGPAF’s model for enhancing the patient’s voice in QI, client satisfaction surveys), will be included in a forthcoming community engagement and QI resource brief.}