The ANZICS Practical Quality Improvement Program (PQIC)
Empowering ICU Clinicians to Lead Meaningful Change
The ANZICS Practical Quality Improvement Course is a specialised program developed for healthcare professionals working in intensive care environments. This comprehensive program equips ICU clinicians with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and proven tools to design, implement and evaluate quality improvement projects within their own units.
Through a structured, hands-on approach, participants gain the confidence to lead initiatives that enhance patient care, improve clinical processes, and drive sustainable change in the ICU setting.
Course Overview
This 13-module course is designed for intensive care clinicians and employs a blended learning model integrating theoretical foundations with practical application of quality improvement (QI) methodologies, tools and techniques. Participants are assigned to small, multidisciplinary teams to encourage peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, culminating in the completion of a QI project relevant to critical care practice. The course leverages intensive care data from the ANZICS CORE Adult Patient Database to inform study projects. Learning is further enriched through instructional modules and dedicated faculty mentorship, supporting both knowledge development and project execution.
Learning Environment
The course is delivered online through an integrated digital learning environment. Technical support is provided by the ANZICS administrative staff.
- Google Classroom serves as the central learning management system where all course materials, assignments and resources will be accessible.
- Zoom will be used for all live lectures, workshops, and Q&A sessions. Sessions will be recorded for reinforcement of key learnings.
- Pumble provides the discussion forum for ongoing conversations, peer support, and collaboration between sessions.
Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
- Define, interpret and apply QI methodologies and tools to the intensive care setting.
- Select and implement an achievable and measurable quality improvement project within the intensive care setting.
- Collaborate with team members and stakeholders from project idea to completion using validated QI tools and techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyse quality improvement data for a quality improvement project, using visual presentation techniques to enhance clarity and understanding of results.
Course Schedule and Topics
Interactive sessions are scheduled on a fortnightly basis and are 1.5 hours in duration. Assignment work includes 1-2 hours per module, plus contribution to the pumble discussion forum.
Learner Expectations
To get the most out of the course, it is important that you are able to:
- Complete the required pre-reading prior to the first online session
- Attend the scheduled online sessions
- Join our pumble discussion forum and actively participate in discussions
- Engage fully in project team meetings
- Complete the practical assignments for each module
- Work collaboratively in your project group
- Provide constructive feedback to peers
- Share your experiences, challenges and successes
We’re excited to embark on this quality improvement journey with you and look forward to seeing the positive impact your projects will have on intensive care practice.
Course Faculty
Professor Deepak Bhonagiri – Chair ANZICS Safety and Quality Committee, Director Liverpool ICU Sydney
Professor David Pilcher – Chair ANZICS CORE and Senior Intensivist, Alfred Hospital Melbourne
Dr Nikihil Kumar – Fellow Of College of Intensive Care Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle
Dr Bronwyn Avard – Chair ANZICS Education Committee, Senior Intensivist, Canberra Hospital
Dr. Krishnaswamy Sundararajan – ANZICS Safety and Quality, Director Royal Adelaide Hospital ICU
Dr Frances Lin – ANZICS Safety and Quality, Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University
Dr Hemang Doshi – ANZICS Safety and Quality, Fellow of College of Intensive Care Medicine, Nepean Hospital, Sydney