Control Chart Education

Using Statistical Process Control Charts to Make Better Decisions with Data

Example of a statistical process control chart

Whether you are physician, nurse, clerk or administrator, we are frequently under pressure to demonstrate high quality performance and to find ways to continuously improve. We want to make the best possible decisions with data so that our processes and improvement efforts are as effective and efficient as possible.

But without understanding the theory of variation it is too easy to fall into the time-wasting traps of seeing trends that are not there, missing trends that are, and selecting ineffective or inefficient problem solving and improvement strategies. Statistical process control charts will help you avoid these pitfalls. They will save you time and make your improvement work more effective and efficient.

A joint report by the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine included control charts among the systems engineering tools that have great potential to further improve health care delivery.

OHSU Continuing Professional Development offers three courses to help participants understand and apply these important tools and concepts.

Course Offerings

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will:

  • Understand the value of control charts for monitoring performance & in decision making
  • Correctly interpret control charts
  • Know how to respond to variation inherent in a process versus due to external influences
  • Recognize the variety of situations in which control charts can be used
  • Understand how control charts and understanding variation are essential in the "care and feeding" of a balanced scorecard or dashboard
  • Know the basic types of control charts that exist for different types of applications

Topics

  • Introduction to variation & statistical thinking via the Bead Game
  • Principles and vocabulary
  • Common and special causes
  • Control limits versus specification limits
  • Triggers, thresholds, goals and tampering
  • Examples of control charts
  • Overview of chart construction
  • Chart interpretation rules
  • Types of control charts: c, u, p, np, g, XmR, X-bar & S
  • Issues, applications and decision making from the front‐line to the board room

Credit

OHSU School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The half-day overview session is designed to ensure participants understand the value of control charts. It covers the same topics as the Full-day overview but in an accelerated format without exercises and with fewer examples and discussion.

Credit

OHSU School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Ten sessions, two hours per week for ten weeks. Includes reading, data collection and chart construction assignments between each session.

Learning Objectives

In addition to the learning objectives of the Full-Day course, participants will:

  • Develop a working knowledge of control chart construction and application. Be able to select, construct and interpret Run, NP, P, C, U, XMR, Average and Range, Average and Standard Deviation, and g charts.
  • Understand the derivation of special cause rules.
  • Understand the relationship between control charts and basic hypothesis tests including binomial proportions, Chi-squared contingency tables, Analysis of Means, Fisher's exact test, and guidelines and tests of normality.
  • Understand the relationship between control charts and basic forecasting concepts of stationarity, noise, trend, shift, cycle and seasonality.
  • Apply software to create control charts including Excel and SPSS.

Credit

OHSU School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

MOC Approval Statement

Through the American Board of Medical Specialties ("ABMS") ongoing commitment to increase access to practice relevant Maintenance of Certification ("MOC") Activities through the ABMS Continuing Certification Directory,  Control Charts –Advanced Course has met the requirements as an MOC Part II CME Activity (apply toward general CME requirement) for the following ABMS Member Boards: 

MOC Part II CME Activity

  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Family Medicine
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Psychiatry &Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Urology

Reference Articles

Questions?

Contact Ken DeVane at devane@ohsu.edu if you are interested in applying to attend one of the courses or have questions about the use of control charts. 

Accreditation

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.