"Always Events® "… just another quality improvement tool … or is it?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient-Centered Care
• Radiology Services

Background:

• Always Events® are crucial aspects of healthcare experiences that should consistently occur.
• This methodology prioritizes patient input, starting with "what matters to you?" to drive improvements through coproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the value of implementing an Always Event® in a hospital Radiology department.
• To demonstrate a rapid approach combining research, evaluation, and implementation of findings.

Main Methods:

• An Always Event® was conducted within the Radiology department at Warrington and Halton Hospitals.
• Patient, staff, and volunteer experiences were gathered to evaluate outcomes and impact.

Main Results:

• Patients expressed a need to be informed about examination waiting times.
• Over 90% of patients are now informed of their waiting time, a process embedded in daily activities.

Conclusions:

• Listening to patients and involving them in quality improvement significantly benefits the care experience.
• This approach fosters a positive research culture, advancing the profession and improving radiology services.