IHI QI 104
What is the minimum number of data points you should usually have to look for signs of improvement on a run chart?
10
How many runs are there on the chart? (Note that one data point is on the median.)
12
Within the following data set, what is the median? [2.5, 7.2, 2.5, 2.9, 4.7, 3.6, 4.7]
3.6
How many useful observations are on this chart? (Note that one data point is on the median.)
36
The team from the example on the previous page has started to draw a histogram for its 32 data points: How high (i.e., to what numbers on the vertical axis) should the team draw the bars in the remaining three categories?
4, 3, 2
When drawing a histogram, which is a good number of categories to include on your X axis?
6-12
An operating room (OR) team identified eight categories of factors that contributed to errors during surgical setup. They tracked and calculated the following data in relation to those categories: Can you calculate the missing data point for the table above? (Hint: Start by adding the three largest values in the 'frequency' column. Then divide that number by the 'total frequency.')
75
Which of the following options indicates a non-random pattern?
A run of six points or more OR an astronomical point
Once again, here's the run chart of ED "walk aways" over time from the previous lesson; practice applying the four run chart rules. Which of the following do you see? (Note that there is one data point on the median, which is February 7.)
At least one shift (based on Rule 1)
During a clinical rotation on the medical-surgical floor of a hospital, you notice several patients have developed urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with their Foley catheters (tubes inserted into the bladder to drain urine). Your staff physician agrees that this is a problem and offers to help with an improvement project. Together, you work through several PDSA cycles to reduce the rate of UTIs on your floor. Which of the following methods would you recommend to display your improvement data?
Draw a run chart.
Which of the following is a problem with static data?
It doesn't adequately portray variation.
According to the chart, when did a PDSA cycle occur?
March 05
Which of the following charts would be best to justify focusing on a few large problems and ignoring many smaller ones?
Pareto chart
When you are graphing a proportion or a percent, what should you look at to help you understand the bigger picture?
The denominator of the measured value
Which of the following is the best interpretation of the run chart below based on Rule 3? Hint: There are 24 data points, and two of them fall directly on the median.
There are too few runs for the pattern to appear random.
Which of the following traits do histograms, Pareto charts, and scatter plots have in common?
They are all visual displays of data
Which of the following statements about astronomical data points is true?
They signal a non-random pattern
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a histogram?
To show distribution of continuous data
During a clinical rotation on the medical-surgical floor of a hospital, you notice several patients have developed urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with their Foley catheters (tubes inserted into the bladder to drain urine). Your staff physician agrees that this is a problem and offers to help with an improvement project. Together, you work through several PDSA cycles to reduce the rate of UTIs on your floor. When designing the run chart, it is important to include:
Units of time on the X axis
What famous Italian economist is credited with the theory behind the 80/20 rule?
Vilfredo Pareto
The baseline median depicts the percent of walkaways prior to March 7, when the improvement project began. Does the data suggest the team's changes led to improvement?
Yes, This pattern strongly supports the contention that the changes the team made led to improvement.
According to Rule 3, does the chart show non-random patterns? Use the the table below to help you. (Note that one data point is on the median.)
Yes, there are too few runs.
