What the study found
The review identified five key themes linked to capacity building for quality improvement (QI) in hospitals: accountability and priority setting, strategic management, collaboration, enhancing QI knowledge and experience, and QI project support. The authors describe these themes as a blueprint for advancing QI capacity in hospital settings.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests that recognizing how these themes are interconnected is important for sustaining improvements in health care outcomes. The authors conclude that future research should examine the role of organizational culture in optimizing QI initiatives.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted a systematic scoping review of the literature. They searched CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library, appraised study quality with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool, and used NVivo software for coding and thematic analysis.
What worked and what didn't
Across 21 studies, the review found that clear responsibilities and strategic focus, alignment of frameworks with QI goals, collaboration among stakeholders, continuous learning and experience sharing, and adequate resources and backing for QI projects were the main factors identified. The abstract does not report any specific intervention as not working.
What to keep in mind
The summary provides no detailed limitations beyond the scope of the reviewed studies. The findings are based on 21 studies and on themes identified through review and thematic analysis.
Key points
- The review identified five themes for hospital quality improvement capacity.
- The themes were accountability and priority setting, strategic management, collaboration, knowledge and experience, and project support.
- The review included 21 studies and used thematic analysis to identify the themes.
- The authors say the themes together provide a blueprint for advancing QI capacity.
- The abstract says future research should examine organizational culture.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Five themes shape hospital quality improvement capacity
- Authors:
- Camilla Frosch Holmager Sloth, Louise Schlosser Mose, Pia Andersen, Torben Knudsen, Charlotte Overgaard
- Institutions:
- University of Southern Denmark, Region of Southern Denmark, Post Apotheke, Knudsen Plast (Denmark)
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-26
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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