The University Aims to Train the Next
Generation of the Healthcare Workforce with Proven Quality &
Safety Competencies
CHICAGO and
MONTGOMERY, Ala.,
Aug. 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association for
Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)® and Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) announce a
new collaboration that will align a graduate level course in
Quality Improvement with NAHQ's industry-standard Healthcare
Quality Competency Framework.
NAHQ's Healthcare Quality Competency Framework
offers twice-validated competencies that reduce variability of
healthcare delivery by offering a common vocabulary and toolkit. It
also articulates everything that must be present in a
high-functioning quality program and offers career pathways for
individuals to explore.
As the healthcare industry continues to witness a
growing demand for heightened patient outcomes and reduced
operational costs, the need for standardized healthcare quality and
safety competencies has become increasingly apparent. This
situation, coupled with the need to address a looming workforce
shortage "cliff" in healthcare, make this educational collaboration
even more valuable for students.
NAHQ and AUM recognize the crucial role of a
well-equipped and competent workforce, which begins with a robust
educational foundation. By aligning AUM's Master of Healthcare
Administration (MHA) curriculum with NAHQ's framework, which is the
industry standard, the partnership seeks to bridge the variability
gap in healthcare delivery, ultimately enhancing patient care and
organizational efficiency.
"AUM's dedication to academic excellence and its
commitment to preparing graduates to be valuable contributors to
the healthcare industry align with NAHQ's vision," said NAHQ Chief
Executive Officer and Executive Director Stephanie Mercado, CAE, CPHQ. "Partnering with
AUM to integrate NAHQ's Healthcare Quality Competency Framework
into their coursework is a significant step toward preparing future
healthcare professionals to address the challenges of our evolving
healthcare landscape. This curriculum sets a benchmark for academic
institutions, and we commend AUM for raising the bar for healthcare
quality education and creating a strong foundation to advance a
more proficient and empathetic healthcare workforce."
The partnership with AUM is the latest example in
NAHQ's commitment to empowering the next generation of healthcare
professionals to address the complexities of modern healthcare
challenges. By working closely with the dedicated faculty
at AUM, NAHQ's curriculum will enable students to explore key
concepts, tools, and strategies to drive continuous improvement and
minimize risks in the industry. Students will delve into the core
principles of quality improvement and patient safety, gain insights
into various quality improvement models and methodologies and learn
how to apply these frameworks to healthcare settings, with emphasis
on data collection and analysis, and the use of metrics.
Dr. Michael
McEachern, LFACHE, CPHQ, Director of the AUM MHA program,
emphasizes the importance of addressing cost, quality, and access
in today's healthcare landscape. "Understanding and mastering these
elements are essential for any healthcare leader's success. Our
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety course provides our
graduates with critical skills and insights that are not commonly
found in all MHA programs," says Dr. McEachern.
To enroll or to learn more about AUM's healthcare
quality curriculum and partnership with NAHQ, visit here.
About NAHQ
The National Association for
Healthcare Quality® (NAHQ) is at the forefront of
elevating the profession and advancing the discipline of quality
& safety across the continuum of care. We set the industry
standard through our expert-created, twice-validated Healthcare
Quality Competency Framework™ and help individuals and
organizations achieve it through educational programming, industry
leading data-driven intelligence, and the only accredited
certification in healthcare quality, Certified Professional in
Healthcare Quality® (CPHQ). NAHQ also serves as a
welcoming membership community and a trusted partner to 150+
organizations helping build quality infrastructures, workforce
planning and professional development programs and quality
cultures. Learn more at NAHQ.org (https://www.nahq.org/)
About Auburn University
at Montgomery
Auburn University at
Montgomery has established itself as the leading four-year
institution in Alabama's River
Region and ranks among the best and most innovative regional
comprehensive universities in the South, according to U.S. News
& World Report and Princeton Review. AUM has also
been recognized by Viqtory Media as one of the nation's Top 10
Military Friendly small colleges. AUM offers undergraduate and
graduate degree options in more than 90 program areas and is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges.
Media Contact:
Evelyn Warren
Interim PR and Communications Director
National Association for Healthcare Quality
ewarren@nahq.org / 704 – 488 – 7690
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SOURCE National Association For Healthcare Quality