What does the acronym "PDSA" stand for in quality improvement?

The acronym "PDSA" stands for "Plan-Do-Study-Act," which is a fundamental framework used in quality improvement processes. This model is designed to facilitate continuous improvement by systematically testing changes to processes or systems.

In the PDSA cycle, "Plan" involves identifying a goal or aim for improvement, along with hypothesizing what changes could lead to improvements. "Do" is the implementation phase, in which the planned changes are executed on a small scale to test their effectiveness. During the "Study" phase, data and observations from the implementation are analyzed to determine whether the changes led to expected improvements. Finally, "Act" encompasses making informed decisions based on the analysis; this could involve adopting the change, refining it further, or abandoning it if it did not produce the desired outcomes.

This systematic approach ensures that improvements are based on evidence and allows organizations to learn and adapt over time, making it a crucial component in enhancing patient safety and quality care in healthcare settings.