{"id":11057,"date":"2024-03-27T05:00:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T09:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/urology\/?p=11057"},"modified":"2024-03-27T16:34:30","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T20:34:30","slug":"it-starts-with-caringand-results-in-quality-unc-urology-launches-innovative-quality-improvement-program-naming-dr-hans-arora-and-dr-dave-friedlander-as-co-directors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/urology\/it-starts-with-caringand-results-in-quality-unc-urology-launches-innovative-quality-improvement-program-naming-dr-hans-arora-and-dr-dave-friedlander-as-co-directors\/","title":{"rendered":"It Starts with Caring\u2026and Results in Quality: UNC Urology Launches Innovative \u201cQuality Improvement\u201d Program, Naming Dr. Hans Arora and Dr. Dave Friedlander as Co-Directors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ahead<\/p>\n

UNC Urology has long been renowned for providing patients with a clinical environment that is smooth and efficient, while also providing highly advanced and personalized medical care.<\/p>\n

A newly launched \u201cQuality Improvement\u201d (Q.I.) initiative further enhances the patient experience by implementing a systematic yet dynamic means of identifying best practices and measuring outcomes in order to enhance all aspects of the Department\u2019s three core activities; 1) Patient Care, 2) Research, and 3) Education of tomorrow\u2019s leading urologists.<\/p>\n

Dr. Matthew Nielsen<\/a>, Professor and Chair of the UNC Urology Department, has been a leader locally and nationally in this space, currently serving as Director of Quality for UNC Faculty Physicians, Chair of the American Urological Association\u2019s Science and Quality Council<\/a>, and a member of National Quality Forum\u2019s (NQF) Diagnostic Excellence Committee<\/a>. The new program is also aligned with the goals of the UNC Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement<\/a>, for which Dr. Nielsen served as Associate Director from 2018-2021, and other University programs.<\/p>\n

The new Q.I. program was envisioned and launched by Dr. Katherine Chan<\/a>, Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Urology<\/a>, with the enthusiastic support and endorsement of Dr. Nielsen and the faculty.<\/p>\n

Quality Improvement is Mission Critical<\/h2>\n

\u201cTo ensure we\u2019re achieving our objectives related to quality, our initiative includes a very data driven approach so that we can set meaningful goals and create an optimal environment for everyone involved, including patients as well as their families,\u201d says Dr. Hans Arora<\/a>, Assistant Professor of Urology and Co-Director of the new Quality Improvement Initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes advance planning and constant vigilance, but is well worth the effort because it has a profoundly positive impact,\u201d says Dr. Arora. \u201cWe\u2019re bringing about improvements that cover everything from how patients set up appointments, to the care they receive, and efficient processes for specific actions like filling of prescriptions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Dave Friedlander<\/a>, Assistant Professor of Urology and Co-Director for Quality Improvement adds, \u201cFully embracing quality improvement means we\u2019re also implementing ways to ensure smooth processes for the entire clinical team involved including physicians, nurses and other providers who are all part of the continuum of care \u2013 that\u2019s a key ingredient to ensuring quality.\u201d<\/p>\n