Making the Best Use of Surveillance Data to Keep the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle Turning

Abstract

The PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle is a four-step process used for continuous quality improvement. The PDCA process has been applied for HAI prevention in various healthcare settings, resulting in reduction of HAI risks by improving adherence to evidence-based infection prevention practices, such as hand hygiene. The role of HAI surveillance in the PDCA cycle is to "Check" the processes and outcomes of HAI prevention activities. The collection and timely feedback of surveillance data turns the cycle by promoting competition among hospital employees to "Act" to improve adherence to recommended HAI prevention practices. The use of major HAI process and outcome indicators essential to keep the PDCA cycle turning will be discussed in this review.