Outlines the principles and frameworks underlying modern quality improvement in healthcare, including the integration of evidence-based medicine in improving clinical quality. Simplifies QI, recognising that this flexible methodology can be applied through a variety of approaches, along a spectrum of increasing complexity. Four applications of QI are described and illustrated with case examples: individual problem solving, rapid team problem solving, systematic team problem solving, and ongoing process improvement. The final section describes a number of useful tools for QI in developing countries.
