Organizational Structure

Redesign of the existing organizational structure of UK’s quality, patient safety & process improvement functions is necessary to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately throughout the organization to eliminate potential duplication of effort and to outline clear roles and responsibilities.

The CEQS will incorporate the existing staff that currently carries out patient safety and quality work and those persons should then report directly to the new Medical Director for Patient Quality and Safety. The program should have core funds to support training and development in quality and patient safety for the Program faculty and staff.  Specifically the new CEQS will:

• Serve as a centralized support structure for enterprise quality, providing measurement, methodology and improvement skills. The CEQS does not “own” quality initiatives.
• The CEQS does not preclude department-specific QA/QI. For specific required initiatives, such as restraints use and prevention of decubitus ulcers, nursing should maintain ownership and lead these initiatives with support from the CEQS. Cross-cutting issues such as glycemic control, nosocomial infections, and rapid response teams should be conducted by CEQS supported multidisciplinary teams. Similarly, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Pathology may conduct departmental QA initiatives to maintain accreditation.