Quality Culture - Lessons Learned from the Low- and Medium Income World

Abstract

With the development of safe blood supply and transfusion comes the introduction of quality as a culture, implemented through the introduction of a Quality System (QS) and Quality Management System (QMS). Often the idea is that– ‘when instructions are written (SOPs) a quality system is in place. Just follow the instructions, that is it.’ However, quality only partly depends on following instructions at the operational level. Generally not understood is the importance of designing and implementing a quality management system, based on 5 key elements 1) organization and structure; 2) standards (technical and quality); 3) documentation - traceability and evidence; 4) education - continued teaching and training; 5) assessment - continued monitoring and evaluation.

Development and implementation of an appropriate quality system and management were evaluated for 15 developing countries (2004-2020) in 4 WHO regions. Projects were based on a step-by-step introduction to the concept and principles of quality following a Quality Management Training (QMT) course – modular, interactive, with improvement score evaluation focused on comprehension and ownership of the teaching and training contents.

For an optimal understanding of the values of quality in Transfusion Medicine (TM), a culture has to be created - ownership development, commitment to and implementation of the principles of fitness for purpose, and the supplier-producer-customer continuum.

Introduction

With the development of a safe blood supply and transfusion comes the introduction of quality as a culture, implemented through the implementation of a Quality System (QS) and Quality System Management (QSM) [11Holmberg JA, Rosin N. Need for quality management in transfusion medicine. In: Smit Sibinga CTh, editor. Quality management in transfusion medicine. New York: Nova Science Publishers; 2013;35-53.]. However, in many situations, the common idea is – ‘when operational instructions are written (SOPs) a quality system is in place. Just follow the instructions, that is it.’ However, quality only partly depends on following instructions at the operational level.

Generally not understood is the importance of designing and implementing a quality system, based on a Quality Management System (QMS) consisting of 5 key elements:

1)  Organization and structure – mission and vision, policy and strategies;

2)  Standards - technical and quality;

3)  Documentation - traceability and evidence;

4)  Education - continued teaching and training;

5)  Assessment - continued monitoring and evaluation.

For an optimal understanding of the values of quality in transfusion medicine (TM), a 24/7 culture has to be created - ownership and stewardship development, commitment to and implementation of the principles of fitness for purpose, and the supplier-producer-customer continuum [22Smit Sibinga CTh, Hasan F. Quality management or the need for a quality culture in transfusion medicine. Glob J Transfus Med. 2020;5(1):9-16.-44Abdella YE, Smit Sibinga CTh. WHO and current global efforts in transfusion medicine education. In: Eichbaum QG, editor. Global education, training, and staffing in transfusion medicine. Bethesda, MD: AABB Press; 2024 (in press).].

How could we do that?

Development and implementation of an appropriate quality system and management were evaluated for 15 developing countries (2004-2020) in 4 WHO regions (Table 1). Projects were based on a step-by-step introduction of the concept and principles of quality following a Quality Management Training (QMT) course [55World Health Organization. Quality management training for blood transfusion services: facilitator’s toolkit. Geneva: WHO; 2004. WHO/EHT/04.13.] – modular, interactive, with improvement-score evaluation focused on comprehension and ownership of the teaching and training contents.

Table 1: QMT course: Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) involved

The WHO QMT consists of two parts (part 1 - basic principles of quality and part 2 - applying quality in the blood transfusion system) with 13 modules, 7 basic and 6 applied, and a completion Module (Table 2). Each module consists of lectures alternated by group activities to illustrate and implement the educated knowledge.

Table 2: Modular Curriculum QMT course.

The QMT course outcomes were evaluated by comparing and analyzing the pre-course assessment outcomes with the post-course outcomes. That provides both the strong as well as the weak elements in understanding.

What happened?

Since the introduction of WHO QMT courses in the 4 WHO regions, hundreds of blood establishment and healthcare facility professionals have been exposed.

However, often the selected trainees in these 15 countries were not properly prepared for the objectives and contents of such QMT courses, trainers and facilitators in the 4 WHO Regions had insufficient personal drive and experience, enthusiasm, and competence to conduct such high-level quality management course, and with regard to sustainability in-country follow up was not anticipated by existing leadership and therefore failed.

Nevertheless, a quality culture started to develop, and consistency of fitness for purpose and the supplier-producer-customer chain development as a healthcare-integrated managerial and operational system was noticed where –

1. a) Selection of trainees was based on more strict criteria focused on future implementation,
2. b) Training cadre had adequate competence, drive, and real-life experience,
3. c) A pre-set follow-up structure for implementation and sustainability by committed and competent leadership was present.

Careful analysis of the outcomes of the QMT courses (post-course assessment) displayed important lessons to learn what the weak and what the strong elements were, in order to improve on the approaches for sustained development. When teaching focuses on outcomes (OBE) rather than on curriculum [66Louw VJ. Determining the outcomes for clinicians completing a postgraduate diploma in transfusion medicine. Transfus Apher Sci. 2014 Dec;51(3):38-43. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2014.10.009. Epub 2014 Oct 16. PMID: 25457005.,77Louw VJ, Barrett CA, Rambiritch V. Outcomes-based clinical transfusion medicine education. In: Smit Sibinga CTh, editor. Clinical use of blood: an alternative approach. Switzerland: Springer Nature; 2024 (in press).] the emphasis shifts from practical skills to a thoughtful understanding of quality culture, being more convinced of conducting active teamwork and implementing the supplier-producer-customer continuum and the fit-for-purpose principle.

Conclusion

Although education (teaching of and training} in principles of quality as a manageable system to improve blood safety and availability is important, it is not enough to create a quality culture needed for sustained and guaranteed quality operations in blood establishments and hospitals/healthcare facilities. Learning should be outcome-based rather than curriculum-oriented.

An important lesson learned is that the approach shall be holistic and supported by competent leadership – commitment and stewardship, ownership, and full intellectual understanding. The outcome then needs an active and continued in-country follow-up to allow proper and sustained implementation of knowledge to build on the creation of a 24/7 quality culture based on stewardship. In fact, the QMT course presents a learning tool for implementing SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threads) lessons that will strengthen the fit-for-purpose principle and the awareness of the continuum of the supplier-producer-customer chain.

References

1. Holmberg JA, Rosin N. Need for quality management in transfusion medicine. In: Smit Sibinga CTh, editor. Quality management in transfusion medicine. New York: Nova Science Publishers; 2013;35-53.

2. Smit Sibinga CTh, Hasan F. Quality management or the need for a quality culture in transfusion medicine. Glob J Transfus Med. 2020;5(1):9-16.

3. Smit Sibinga CTh, Seidl C, Nunes E, AuBuchon JP. Quality and quality management systems applicable in transfusion medicine. In: Smit Sibinga CTh, editor. Quality management in transfusion medicine. New York: Nova Biomedical; 2013.

4. Abdella YE, Smit Sibinga CTh. WHO and current global efforts in transfusion medicine education. In: Eichbaum QG, editor. Global education, training, and staffing in transfusion medicine. Bethesda, MD: AABB Press; 2024 (in press).

5. World Health Organization. Quality management training for blood transfusion services: facilitator’s toolkit. Geneva: WHO; 2004. WHO/EHT/04.13.

6. Louw VJ. Determining the outcomes for clinicians completing a postgraduate diploma in transfusion medicine. Transfus Apher Sci. 2014 Dec;51(3):38-43. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2014.10.009. Epub 2014 Oct 16. PMID: 25457005.

7. Louw VJ, Barrett CA, Rambiritch V. Outcomes-based clinical transfusion medicine education. In: Smit Sibinga CTh, editor. Clinical use of blood: an alternative approach. Switzerland: Springer Nature; 2024 (in press).

About the Article

Cite this Article

Sibinga CTS. Quality Culture - Lessons Learned from the Low- and Medium Income World. IgMin Res. October 28, 2024; 2(10): 870-872. IgMin ID: igmin262; DOI:10.61927/igmin262; Available at: igmin.link/p262

• DOI10.61927/igmin262

09 Sep, 2024

Received

26 Oct, 2024

Accepted

28 Oct, 2024

Published

Share this Article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Get shareable link

Topics

Haematology Public Health