Pathways to quality improvement for boarding homes: A Washington State model

A quality improvement service delivery model was developed, implemented, an d evaluated during a boarding home consultation program in Washington State . Standardized quality improvement (QI) pathways were utilized to define re sident issues related to quality of life, quality of care, and safety. The pathways assisted boarding homes (n = 126) volunteering for on-site visits with QI consultants to identify and address resident needs and meet statuto ry requirements. After 6 months in the program, 78 percent of participating residents demonstrated objective clinical improvement. Assisting providers in meeting resident needs by using QI pathways will improve residents' qua lity of life, quality of care, and safety.