Quality Improvement & Innovations Track

The Emory Radiology Quality Improvement & Innovations (QI²) Track is designed for residents who aspire to be leaders in quality improvement and patient safety excellence. The longitudinal program builds essential skills through real-world experience with quality improvement activities, including the resident's capstone project, as well as through structured study and scholarship. Residents in the track can expect to graduate with both a GME Certificate of Distinction in Quality Improvement & Patient Safety and with the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Advanced Certificate for Quality and Safety.

Radiologists are on the front lines of quality improvement (QI) and patient safety (PS) in both academic medicine and private practice settings. Not only do radiologists lead QI and PS initiatives within radiology, they also increasingly serve on and lead multidisciplinary teams working to elevate QI and PS for health-care enterprises of all sizes. The QI² Track prepares residents for rewarding careers in which they have a significant focus on QI and PS.

Learning Objectives:

• Define approaches to delivering safe and high value patient care
• Apply tools to successfully lead quality improvement projects
• Lead educational activities supportive of quality improvement and patient safety

Program Opportunities:

• Courses/certificates
• Experiential learning
• Teaching
• Observership
• Innovation
• Scholarship

The Emory Radiology QI² Track employs a longitudinal curriculum with graduated stages across the four years of residency. The three main components are a) GME Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Course; b) Radiology-Specific QI Curriculum; and c) QI² Track Capstone Project.

A) Emory GME QI and Patient Safety Course

B) Radiology Quality Course* - 12 lectures (sequence repeats every 24 months):

1. Common Radiology Quality and Safety Issues
2. Data Analysis and Data Visualization for Quality and Safety
3. Tiered Huddles in Radiology - SMESS
4. Project Versus Change Management
5. Implementation Science
6. Sustainability: Governance and Standard Work
7. Value Stream Analysis
8. Intersection of Radiology Quality and IT
9. Patient Engagement in Radiology
10. Lean Basics
11. Scholarship in Quality and Safety
12. Professional Development Opportunities in Quality and Safety

*Organized and administered by the Radiology Quality Team and open only to QI² Track residents

The Capstone Project is a resident's opportunity to deeply explore and address a quality improvement and/or patient safety issue. A faculty mentor provides guidance throughout the process, from topic selection and framing through methodology and even preparation for publication or presentation.

Successful completion of the QI Track depends on achieving the following:

• Emory GME Certificate of Distinction in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
• RSNA Basic and Advanced Quality Improvement Certificates
• Attending every session of the radiology-specific curriculum
• Successfully completing a QI Track Capstone Project
• Successful quality and safety teaching activities
• Optional
  • ACR E. Stephen Amis, Jr., MD, Fellowship in Quality and Safety
  • Lean Bronze Level
  • Patient Experience Certificate
  • RSNA AI Certificate

Application is open to first-year Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology - Integrated residency programs. Up to two residents are selected each year. Residents receive more information about the application process early in the first year of residency.