Since its inception in 2006 by Caterpillar Inc. and OSF Healthcare System, Quality Quest has looked for ways to improve the quality and value of healthcare provided to patients and families in our region. We became a non-profit organization and expanded our membership to include all healthcare stakeholders—patients and families, providers, payers and employers.

At Quest, we use quality improvement teams to identify and address specific healthcare issues. Our Quest Teams use 6 Sigma methods to get at the heart of an issue and define real solutions. We include members from each stakeholder group on our teams.

Why 6 Sigma?

6 Sigma is a business methodology that measures and analyzes processes to improve quality. 6 Sigma methodology can improve existing business processes or be used to create a new business process. It was developed in manufacturing, is widely used in healthcare today, and fits well with the Quality Quest mission.

Each Quest Team is supported by a 6 Sigma black belt and has a designated team lead. 6 Sigma project charters include an opportunity statement, business case, goal, deliverables, timelines, team members, risks, constraints and assumptions. The methodology used ensures fact-based, data-driven decision-making.

Strategic Planning

Twice a year, Quest reviews our organizational strategic plan. The Strategic Planning Committee identifies annual priorities and projects by using explicit criteria. Our focus for 2009 - 2010 includes Development of Patient Registries, Appropriate Use of High Tech Imaging, and a Healthy Lifestyles School Project. Our past initiatives have included:

• Evidence-Based Care Standards
• Affordable Medication
• Quality Colonoscopy
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Preventive Care
• Reducing Stroke and Heart Attacks
• Adoption of Regional Care Standards