Criterion 16: Example 6

The provider's leadership has integrated the CME unit into the organizational structure in order to position CME as a change agent to help improve the professional practice of its physicians. For example, working in concert with quality improvement, the education department targets physician behaviors that negatively impact professional practice. After determining the practice problem, the education department develops and then conducts follow-up to assess practice improvements. When the expected level of improvement in professional practice is not achieved, the provider has implemented additional education. As another example, the provider is included in broad efforts to improve professional practice. After integrating new cardiac services to the hospital, the provider developed a weekly heart center performance-improvement conference to create a forum for continuous practice-based improvement related to cardiac care.