Since KQuIP was formally launched at UK Kidney Week in June, we have already shared with you some of the work that has been going on to develop the initiative and you can view and engage with some of that activity on the website.
The end of 2016 sees KQuIP moving into its crucial delivery phase, bringing new challenges and opportunities. At its launch, KQuIP identified three main quality improvements projects to support and develop – Transplant First, Home Therapies and Vascular Access. These three projects are at different stages and the KQuIP input to them will continue to evolve, but a key element in the delivery of these and the wider KQuIP ambitions, is the ongoing activity of the workstreams. We currently have over 100 people involved across the six groups, bringing varied expertise and experience to this work from across the whole renal MDT. We need to maximise the potential of this to ensure that we maintain momentum and support the huge amount of work still to be done.
Further defining the role and membership of the KQuIP Faculty will underline the commitment to both input to and output from KQuIP – acknowledging what you can do for KQuIP and what KQuIP can do for you. We know that quality improvement is happening all the time in renal units across the UK, so we will need you to tell us about what you are doing, what ideas you have and how KQuIP can help you with them. Widening our knowledge base of activity and projects that are already supporting quality improvement is an essential role for KQuIP. The ongoing development of the KQuIP Hub will help us to spread and share good practice and to learn from each other. This is a web based resource on the KQuIP website, which will go live in January and will contain an expanding repository of QI initiatives, education, projects and practical advice on, ‘how do I start or develop a QI project in my unit’.
KQuIP needs to be real and meaningful to all individuals working with, and within renal teams across many healthcare areas, and supporting QI projects, big and small, will be a major part of KQuIP engagement with the renal shop floor. KQuIP is delighted that the British Kidney Patient Association (BKPA), already one of the founding partners of KQuIP, has extended its support with a substantial grant to facilitate the appointment of two project managers to support a small number of regions in priority QI project development.
We also need to identify QI leads and champions in renal units and across the networks. Defining the need and supporting opportunities for QI education and leadership development for trainees and MDT members will promote confidence and engagement with the QI process and will determine the success and sustainability of KQuIP. You’ll start to see more detail of all of these activities and opportunities appearing on the website over the next few months, as well as at the Renal Association and BRS conferences in 2017.
It is only 20 months since the first meeting of stakeholders took place to discuss the potential for this initiative. 20 months is not a long time to make a change, but it’s amazing how much can be achieved in that time when a community with a shared vision and common purpose comes together and works out how to get a job done.
2017 looks set to be a busy, exciting and productive year for this unique and exciting partnership. Make it your New Year’s resolution to visit the KQuIP website regularly, get involved with discussion and activity and keep up the proud tradition of renal teams working to improve the quality of care for people with CKD.