Quality improvement report Improving the repeat prescribing process in a busy general practice. A study using continuous quality improvement methodology

This paper describes the first attempt by a general practice in Bournemouth, UK to apply continuous quality improvement (CQI) methodology to its own working practices. It has been written in the hope that some of the lessons learnt might be of value to other practices interested in exploring a similar approach. In his classic “bad apples” paper of 1989, Berwick advocated the potential value of applying CQI approaches within healthcare. Since then, an increasing number of project reports and broader overviews have reinforced his views. More recently, the implications of applying CQI within primary care have been reported. 8 The key message is that such methodology has value, although the need for further exploration is stressed. In particular, continuous improvement The aim of quality improvement reports is to answer the following questions: