QI Projects

What is Quality Improvement?

Quality improvement (QI) is a proven approach to identifying areas that need change, looking at what’s working well, what could be done better, and trying out small changes that will lead to overall improvement in a system. Every improvement project is an opportunity for members to learn from each other, apply what works, and, most importantly, improve care in real time. Think of it like a cycle where new ideas are constantly being identified, tested, and if viable, shared across the larger community.

When identifying potential QI projects, we ask questions like:

What are areas that need improvement? What are the gaps in care?

Who is affected by this problem–patients, families, and/or clinicians?

What is the data telling us?

How will we know if a change is an improvement?

If successful, how can we scale and implement this improvement in other care settings?

QI within the Bipolar Action Network

Currently, there are 36 active improvement projects and initiatives led by Bipolar Action Network community members.

Key Projects and Initiatives:

Streamlining Diagnosis

On average, it takes between five and ten years to get an accurate bipolar diagnosis. To help people with bipolar disorder get the right diagnosis as quickly as possible, Bipolar Action Network community members are working to put standardized, evidence-based diagnostic tools in place at participating care centers. These tools will be used in mental health care as well as in primary care and other community settings. Diagnoses will be revisited regularly over time to ensure accuracy.

The Right Treatment at the Right Time

To ensure that people with bipolar disorder can receive the care they need when they need it. Bipolar Action Network community members are expanding the use of patient-reported surveys. These surveys will be used at follow-up visits to provide critical information about what is working and what isn’t for the individual patient.

Collaborating for Better Care

To improve collaboration among providers, Bipolar Action Network community members are mapping where people with bipolar disorder are seen in the system and where there may be opportunities for communication. They are also exploring ways to support primary care providers in screening and treating depression and anxiety as a step toward better-integrated care.

Care with and for Patients

Peer support can be a powerful resource for people living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Action Network community members are working to integrate peer support across all participating care centers. Current efforts include documenting successful models of peer support in clinics, state-level training requirements, payment structures, and identifying pilot sites. Additionally, a peer support specialist and therapist in the Bipolar Action Network community is developing and adapting materials to provide a peer perspective on working with people living with bipolar for care centers and clinicians.