Each year, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) joins health care organizations across the country in recognizing Healthcare Quality Week, sponsored by National Association of Healthcare Quality, a time dedicated to celebrating the professionals who work every day to improve quality, safety and outcomes for patients and residents.
Throughout the week, SDAHO will highlight complimentary educational opportunities, resources and tools members can use to recognize and strengthen health care quality within their organizations.
“Healthcare Quality Week gives us an important opportunity to recognize the people who are continually asking how we can make care safer, stronger and better for those we serve,” said Dr. Becky Heisinger, EdD, MBA, PMP, CGMS, CPHQ, SDAHO Director of Rural Health Initiatives. “We are proud to celebrate the quality professionals across South Dakota whose work often happens behind the scenes but has an incredible impact on patients, residents, staff and communities.”
Complimentary Healthcare Quality Week Education
The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is offering a variety of educational sessions throughout the week. Topics range from the changing health care landscape and federal policy to leadership, value-based care and quality improvement.
Monday, October 19
- The Road Ahead: NAHQ’s Bold Vision for Healthcare
- Prepare for the Five Forces Reshaping Healthcare
Tuesday, October 20
- CMS & the Broader Policy Landscape: What It Means for Quality & Safety
- Fresh Perspective Session: An Innovative Approach that Drives Improvement
Wednesday, October 21
- Rethink, Adapt, Influence: Leading Through Change
Thursday, October 22
- International Edition: Rethink, Adapt, Influence: Leading Through Change
- Value-Based Care: What Quality Leaders Need to Know Now
Friday, October 23
- A Conversation with Joint Commission
All webinars will also be available for complimentary on-demand access following Healthcare Quality Week, generally within one to two weeks. Click here to view the full Healthcare Quality Week agenda and register for sessions.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Healthcare Quality Week sessions also provide opportunities to earn continuing education. Participants may earn up to 5.0 CPHQ continuing education credits and up to 2.25 ACHE Qualified Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. Individual sessions offer varying amounts and types of credit.
“This is a great opportunity for our members to take advantage of high-quality education at no cost while also earning continuing education credit through several of the sessions,” Heisinger said. “Whether you work directly in quality or collaborate with quality teams as part of your role, there is something in this week’s programming that can help you bring new ideas and perspectives back to your organization.”
Celebrate Quality in Your Organization
Healthcare Quality Week was created to recognize the critical role health care quality professionals play in advancing patient safety, improving outcomes, reducing costs and strengthening health care organizations.
SDAHO encourages members to use the week as an opportunity to recognize the quality professionals and teams within their own facilities. Consider hosting a webinar watch party or lunch-and-learn, highlighting quality improvement successes, recognizing staff members who have made a difference, or simply taking time to thank the people who champion quality and safety every day.
Members can also visit the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Week webpage for additional information, resources and ideas for celebrating within their facility or health system.
