Introduction
The Regional Quality Improvement (QI) Hub at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences works in collaboration with Northwest Ohio's care providers and community members to create meaningful and lasting health improvements. Our focus is on providing people with tools and training necessary to achieve better health outcomes, such as sustained blood pressure control.
Our Team
Our Hub is made up of healthcare providers, quality improvement experts, researchers, patients, and community partners who all work together to make care better.
Dr. Lance Dworkin
UT QI Hub Lead
Dr. Linda Speer
UT QI Hub Lead
Dr. Kate Szymanski
Clinical Lead
Dr. Mani Askari
Clinical Lead
Diane McCarthy
Senior Project Director
William Barnett
Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Education Officer
Umeeksha Sharma
QI Coach
Victoria Webb
Patient and Family Advisory Council Coordinator
Quality Improvement
To find what works best, we partner with our clinics to provide monthly QI coaching and engage clinics in using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) process. For instance, clinics test new procedures, like double-checking blood pressure or scheduling timely follow-up appointments. We analyze the outcomes of these tests, promote the most effective strategies, and support their implementation across our network of 18 partner clinics. Additionally, clinics upload specified data from the electronic health record and attend monthly webinars to discuss clinical best practices and share learnings with their peers.
By teaming with providers, patients, and community partners, the QI Hub is building stronger systems of care that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities.
Focus Areas
Our current focus is on controlling hypertension. High blood pressure is one of the top causes of heart disease and stroke, and it often affects people who already face challenges getting the care they need. We also help clinics connect patients with important resources like transportation, healthy food, and safe housing, since these play a big role in health too.
