Value in Inpatient Pediatrics Network

The Value in Pediatrics Network, with 45+ members, is currently at a critical juncture in its organizational development. With a 2 year track record that clearly demonstrates physician engagement and a committment to improving the 6 dimension of Quality as defined by the IOM (safety, efficiency, effectiveness, timeliness, patient-centered, and equitable), the next step for the network before proceeding forward to secure critical infrastructure and resources.

Specifically, in order for the Network to sustain expand its current efforts and be able to serve its members, the following minimum resources must be provided:

• Access to administrative support
• Access to IT Resources to store data for benchmarking purposes for specific collaboratives
• Access to Data Analysis/Statistical support services
• Access to monthly conference calls for each collaborative
• Access to direct mentoring on use of specific QI Tools/Methodology

Moreover, the VIP Network is committed to alignign all QI projects completed by our members to the ABP MOC Process. In this effort, the VIP Network's Steering Committee is actively engaged in serious discusssions with national organizations who may be interested in providing these critical resources We will keep you updated on our progress. In the meantime-- if you have any ideas, please share them with the group by posting on the forum.

Dear VIP Network Members,   In terms of securing an infrastructure and critical resources to move forward, we have been approached by a few organizations that would like to align themselves with our network and support our continued growth and expansion as we work to impove the quality of care for hospitalized children.

i would like to get some feedback on your thoughts on what are the important factors you think we need to consider before making a decison on which organization(s) to align ourselves with.

1. Aligning with a national organization --any particular thoughts on a potential partner?

2. Funding-- would organizations be willing to pay a fee to access resources for QI Network? NACHRI charges 15k per "Focus Group" if you are NACHRI member;  How about less than 2k/year?

3. What other resources would you like the Network to provide to its members?

Although Question 1 may be most important long term, thinking about Question 3 might be an easy way to start.

Since our success to date has been built upon our Members' efforts:

-collecting data

-participating in collaboratives

-obtaining support from group or hospital

-communication with VIP leadership

-viewing/using the data

What would have made, or would currently make, life easier for everyone as we continue to grow this improvement network?

One strength of this network has been the availability of individual mentoring to assist in problem solving and keeping projects moving at the participating institutions. I think we must take care not to lose that strength as the project grows.

In response to Shawn's question on alignment, I would guess that part of the answer depends on who is interested in alignment.  No point in deciding to dance with Brad Pitt if only Martin Short has asked.

Having pre-made templates and toolkits for data collection has made me life easier.  Some instructions/templates for data analysis and use could have made life a little easier-I am still Excel clueless and having trouble figuring out how to make things like run charts and graphs except by hand on graph paper like I am in seventh grade.

As far as funding, if we are going to have to go hat-in-hand, I would love some support figuring out how to do that to maximize my chances of success!

thanks

Beth