Aim To demonstrate the application of QI methodology to improving end of life care (EOLC), using improvement data (run charts/statistical process control charts (SPC)) to measure the impact of interventions.

Background QI methods are applied widely across healthcare. SPC and run charts are employed to demonstrate if interventions can lead to sustained and significant improvements. Identifying variables that suit themselves to measurement by repeated data points is more of a challenge for interpersonal aspects of care (such as palliative and EOLC) than for technical interventions (Conry M, 2012).

Methods QI methodology and measures were employed in two QI EOLC initiatives in a large acute NHS trust. The first was a multidisciplinary collaborative to improve the care of patients at risk of clinical deterioration, to reduce avoidable deterioration and/or inappropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The second was an intervention led by the Palliative Care Team to improve the assessment and management of terminal agitation on designated wards. SPC and run charts were created for these initiatives, with baseline data pre-intervention and on-going data collection during the testing, implementation and sustainability phases.

Both initiatives were developed following identification of local need; were led by frontline teams and empowered ward level innovation.

Results In the first initiative SPC charts demonstrated sustained, significant 25% reductions in cardiac arrest calls across the trust, and on 14 pilot wards a 125% increase in patients with a treatment escalation plan and 75% increase in documented CPR decisions.

In the second initiative, run charts demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the rate of assessment, reassessment and evaluation of terminal agitation (p<0.05). Routine review and dissemination of data with the frontline teams in these initiatives enhanced collaborative engagement, motivation and success.

Conclusion SPC and run charts can be used to measure the impact of interventions, and contribute to improvements in EOLC.