What does the PDSA cycle in quality improvement stand for?

The PDSA cycle, which stands for Plan, Do, Study, Act, is a fundamental framework used in quality improvement initiatives. This cycle provides a structured approach for organizations to test changes in their processes and evaluate the results systematically.

In the "Plan" phase, objectives are defined, and a specific change is identified to address a problem or improve a process. This step involves outlining what you intend to accomplish, the methods to be used, and how success will be measured.

The "Do" phase involves implementing the change on a small scale. This allows organizations to experiment with the process without making broad changes that could disrupt operations.

Next, during the "Study" phase, the outcomes of the change are analyzed. This is where data collected during the "Do" phase is examined to determine if the change led to improvements, whether the objectives were met, and what insights can be gathered.

Finally, in the "Act" phase, decisions are made based on the evaluation conducted in the Study phase. If the change was successful, it may be adopted on a larger scale, and if not, teams consider what modifications might be needed.

This structured approach not only enhances the quality of improvement efforts but also encourages continuous learning and adaptation within organizations. Each