Tracking and Evaluation Program (TEP)
To be truly effective at meeting the aim of the Clinical and Translational Science Award initiative, three questions must be answered:
- What do we hope to achieve?
- What is the best way to bring about these changes?
- How will we know we are successful?
The tracking and evaluation program (TEP) is designed to address these questions. The main framework of the tracking and evaluation program is based in quality-improvement principles that provide a holistic approach to strategic planning and project development.
The Penn State CTSI TEP team is comprised of: Harriet Black Nembhard, Ph.D., professor of Industrial Engineering and director of the Center for Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems (CIHDS); and Andrea Lazarus, Ph.D., CTSI administrator.
Six Sigma
Our tracking and evaluation program has been structured using the six sigma approach. Six sigma is a highly disciplined process that puts sharp focus on developing and delivering near-perfect products and services. Six sigma provides a framework for quality improvement and innovation that builds upon statistical tools to achieve results. One of the key methodologies of six sigma is DMAIC (pronounced as “de-may-ic”), which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control. Six sigma DMAIC has been widely used for quality improvement, project execution, and problem solving throughout the healthcare field.
Nembhard, who is also a certified six sigma black belt—an industry designation for someone who demonstrates the highest skill with this process—will present the Penn State CTSI TEP Six Sigma Workshop on Saturday, October 22, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in Room T2500 inside the Main Hospital entrance on the Hershey campus. The workshop is designed to give an overview of the six sigma approach and how it will be used to support the tracking and evaluation program. This will include a rollout of evaluation templates and a demo of Quality Companion, the project management software that has been adopted. CTSI leaders should keep a log of meetings, plans, and accomplishments of their areas and bring it to the workshop.
To register to attend the workshop, contact Andrea Lazarus at alazarus@hmc.psu.edu.
