The Orchards
QAPI DEFINITIONS
Performance Improvement (PI) - PI (also called Quality Improvement – QI) is a pro-active and
continuous study of processes with the intent to prevent or decrease the likelihood of problems by
identifying areas of opportunity and testing new approaches to fix underlying causes of persistent/
systemic problems. PI in nursing homes aims to improve processes involved in health care delivery and
resident quality of life. PI can make good quality even better.
Performance Improvement Project (PIP) - A PIP project typically is a concentrated effort on
a particular problem in one area of the facility or facility wide; it involves gathering information
systematically to clarify issues or problems, and intervening for improvements. PIPs are selected in
areas important and meaningful for the specific type and scope of services unique to each facility.
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) - QAPI is a data-driven, proactive
approach to improving the quality of life, care, and services in nursing homes. The activities of
QAPI involve members at all levels of the organization to: identify opportunities for improvements;
address gaps in systems or processes; develop and implement an improvement or corrective plan; and
continuously monitor effectiveness of interventions.
Quality Assurance (QA) - QA is a process of meeting quality standards and assuring that care
reaches an acceptable level. Nursing homes typically set QA thresholds to comply with regulations.
They may also create standards that go beyond regulations. QA is a reactive, retrospective effort to
examine why a facility failed to meet certain standards. QA activities do improve quality, but efforts
frequently end once the standard is met.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) - Root cause analysis is a term to describe a systematic process to get to
the underlying cause of a problem.
Systems Thinking - Systems thinking is a perspective that considers how things influence one
another as a whole, rather than individual elements, or static “snapshots.”
Be a continuous learning organization: A continuous learning organization: knows where it stands;
knows when and how to change; uses data to drive performance; and views the organization as an
interdependent system. The interdependent system is described as the combination of the people,
structures, supplies, and resources that come together within an organization to make it function.
Provide exceptional compassionate clinical care that treats the whole person: A focus on the whole
person requires staff that knows the residents well and can anticipate their needs. It also requires an
engaged and competent medical and care team that effectively manages residents’ changing health
conditions and avoids Healthcare-Acquired Conditions (HACs) – an undesirable situation or condition
that affects a resident and that arose during a stay in our facility.
Construct solid business practices that support our purpose: A well-run nursing home excels as
a business yet feels like home. It seeks ways to effectively manage the bottom line with integrity
and with the resident as the focus. It runs efficient operations; invests in equipment and supplies
to provide the highest quality care; and ensures that’s its physical and outdoor environments are
comfortable and inviting.