Abstract:
Continuous quality improvement is a key aspect of improving access and
quality of healthcare services. Implementing quality improvement projects at health facilities
is a key strategy to reduce preventable morbidity, mortality, and disability. In different
settings, different factors and barriers affect the implementation of continuous quality
improvement in healthcare settings, yet there is a scarcity of information in Ethiopia in
general and in the study setting in particular.
Objective: Therefore, this study aims at assessing the level and exploring factors affecting
the implementation of continuous quality improvement projects and their barriers among
health workers in selected public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia in 2023.
Methods: Quantitative Cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 healthcare professionals
those who was recruited before 6 months at public health facility supplemented with an
exploratory qualitative study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire
and key informant interview by trained data collectors. The data was collected and entered
into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to Stata 17 for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate
logistic regression were used to explore determinant factors of CQI projects implementation
at 5% significance level. Thematic analysis was used for key informant interview data.
Results: Among the 366 respondents in this study, 204 (55.74%) reported that the
continuous quality improvement projects were implemented in their hospitals. Poor
Leadership engagement in CQI projects [AOR=0.51 (0.293, 0.905)], weak organized of
quality improvement committee or team [AOR=3.28 (1.318, 8.174)], incapable health
worker staff utilized quality improvement models [AOR=4.11(1.516, 11.163)]. On the other
hand, health worker’s not being knowledgeable about their job descriptions
[AOR=0.19(0.053,0.700)] were inversely associated with the implementation of CQI.
Conclusion: The implementation of continuous quality improvement project associated
with factors like Leaders’ engagement in quality improvement project, job description
including specific responsibility, Quality improvement committee or team, Quality
improvement models awareness had significant influence on the implementation of CQI.
