Who We Are
HQUIP is an organization dedicated to solving common problems that result in poor patient outcomes by stimulating innovation to improve overall patient care. We areas currently focused on elevated lung cancer rates in rural areas. The health system is complex. Many experience miscommunication, poor outcomes, incorrect diagnoses, or uncoordinated care. Improve patient experience and health outcomes. We seek to design systems to prevent errors. Our programs are run by public support. We try and make sure cost is not a barrier to improvement. The platform connects facilities to solve common problems and make the best use of limited resources.
Why We Started
The organization was founded by physicians who have personally experienced and witnessed suboptimal responses to patient concerns. We have lost our loved ones to mismanaged cancer, had friends experience poor surgical outcomes, and watched as diagnoses are missed or miscommunicated. Front-line staff with the most knowledge of problems are not engaged in, or empowered with decision-making. All along, we have seen tremendous resources being expended in areas that do not help improve patient experience or outcomes.
How We Work
We seek to engage healthcare providers committed to front line improvement. We provide support in a desired focus area for improvement to all organization members. We look to our project hosts to disseminate successful improvement measures to non-member organizations via word-of-mouth. When new organizations come on board, we use lessons from those organization’s practices to further refine processes and provide feedback at the initial project host facility. This method helps us connect and improve practices, build on existing relationships, while making the most of our resources to accomplish our goals.
Primary Methods
- Learning Networks – Platform members can learn what works and what doesn’t from each other; a curated exchange of data, methods, and information.
- Clinically Integrated Technology Development – Existing and Proposed solutions are tested and validated to ensure they add value.
- Quality Improvement Training – We teach employees, students, and trainees about engineering based, problem-solving methods and can set up a local program for institutions wishing to sustain improvement.
- Patient Advocacy – Patients have the ability to provide input to define the goals and direction set by providers and vendors, as they will be the primary recipients of the results.