SQUIRE 2.0 (Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence): revised publication guidelines from a detailed...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Scientific Reporting Standards
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The initial Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 1.0) were published in 2008.
• Significant advancements in the science of quality improvement have occurred since 2008.
• A need for updated guidelines to reflect current scientific understanding and practices in healthcare improvement was identified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and key components of the revised SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines.
• To provide an updated framework for reporting systematic efforts to improve healthcare quality, value, and safety.
• To establish common ground for sharing discoveries in scholarly literature.

Main Methods:

• Revision process conducted between 2012 and 2015.
• Utilized semistructured interviews and focus groups to evaluate SQUIRE 1.0 and gather feedback.
• Incorporated insights from an international steering group, consensus meetings, pilot testing with authors, and a public comment period.

Main Results:

• Development of SQUIRE 2.0, an updated set of guidelines for reporting healthcare quality improvement.
• Emphasis on three key components: formal/informal theory, context, and intervention study.
• Recognition of the complex and multidimensional nature of healthcare improvement methods.

Conclusions:

• SQUIRE 2.0 provides a comprehensive framework for reporting diverse healthcare improvement methods.
• The guidelines aim to enhance the clarity and consistency of scholarly reporting in this field.
• Facilitates the dissemination of knowledge and best practices in healthcare quality improvement.