At Fox Chase Cancer Center, everyone has an important role to play in continuous quality improvement. That’s clear from the approach of the campus’ Performance Improvement team, which emphasizes the importance of excellence at every level of the organization. Hear from several members on what quality means to them, how they have worked to implement best practices throughout Fox Chase, and why they’re so proud to be part of Performance Improvement.
Rachel Coughlin, Director of Performance Improvement and Clinical Value
To our team, quality signifies the highest standard care and health that we can deliver to every patient. It represents a commitment to excellence in every aspect of our work. Dr. Donald Berwick, a leading authority in healthcare improvement, explains this concept perfectly when he says, ‘Quality is achieved when the usual is excellent.’ This statement underscores that excellence should be the standard practice, rather than an exceptional outcome. Moreover, Berwick’s assertion that, ‘Quality improvement is not an option; it is a necessity’ reinforces the idea that striving for high standards is integral to our mission.”
Our Performance Excellence team embodies this commitment by advocating for our patients, families, and staff through rigorous methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean, and Evidence-Based Quality Improvement. These tools help us design and implement solutions that foster a high-reliability organization. By minimizing variability and enhancing processes, we work towards eliminating patient harm and cultivating a culture that values innovation, respect, accountability, and transparency. Our approach involves collaboration across all levels of the organization, from executive leadership to frontline staff, ensuring that quality improvement is a shared responsibility and a continuous journey.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been the development of the Young Adult Oncology Program. Collaborating with Christopher Cann, MD, Disha Sawhney, Daniel Stapor, MD, Vincent Gangemi, and other dedicated colleagues, we designed this program specifically for young adults aged 18-39 who have been newly diagnosed with cancer. This initiative is multifaceted, including website design, educational resources, peer support groups, and a comprehensive needs assessment. The program’s goal is to provide targeted support and resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by young adults with cancer, ultimately enhancing their care experiences and outcomes. This project is a testament to our team’s dedication to quality care and our commitment to addressing the diverse needs of our patient population.
Allison Rush, Performance Excellence Project Manager
Quality for our team means setting the gold standard across the departments we support, and for Fox Chase’s overall success. Through collaboration, clear goals, and communication, we help support teams with patient safety- and quality of care-related challenges.
Millie Odera, Performance Excellence Project Manager
I believe quality should be understood not as an individual act, but as a systematic approach to standards of operation. In a hospital environment, quality must be centered around the patient to enhance outcomes, mitigate risk, and improve both safety and patient care.
One of my most rewarding Performance Improvement experiences was when I worked on a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) that included the implementation of TPA. This procedure resulted in a modification of processes at FCCC, leading to standardized administrative criteria that aligned with those at TUH.
I also participated in another RCA that focused on the Patient ID verification process. This RCA led to the development of several action plans, which encompassed policy revisions, staff training and education, updates to signage, and the implementation of barcode scanning for patient wristbands. These enhancements were centered around patient care and contributed to improvements in processes and quality measures.
Sarah Nadanamoorthi, Senior Performance Excellence Manager
I’ve had the unique opportunity to work with different aspects of quality improvement throughout my career. I got started with Meaningful Use, then worked with MIPS and MACRA programs for ambulatory practices across the country. I then moved to working with quality programs at acute care facilities across the country, and now I’m at Fox Chase.
Working in quality makes me feel like I make a difference. I might not be directly involved in clinical care, but I enjoy supporting the clinical teams, and working with them towards a common goal of providing better and safer care. My current position allows me to see the impact of my work. Our team may not interact with patients, but we do collaborate with providers, and it’s an honor to support them in helping make the patient experience memorable.