NTTAP CoP: Performance Improvement: Learning the Methods to Improve Quality & Patient Safety

This Community of Practice will have four sessions designed to teach health center staff a variety of performance improvement methods that can be used to enhance patient safety. Participants will engage in interactive sessions focused on four proven methodologies: PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act), DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) and LEAN, Root Cause Analysis, FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis). Each session will have case studies and describe the use of each performance improvement methodology and guide participants in leading a performance improvement activity at their health center.

1/14/2026 | 12:00–1:30 PM
Session 1: Applying Proven Methods for Performance Improvement with FOCUS, PDSA, and DMAIC

2/4/2026| 12:00–1:30 PM
Session 2: Building Better Patient Outcomes Using Lean and DMAIC

2/25/2026| 12:00–1:30 PM
Session 3: Charting the Path to Improve Performance and Patient Safety Using Root Cause Analysis

3/18/2026| 12:00–1:30 PM
Session 4: Detecting and Preventing Failure Modes Using FMEA

The AAFP has reviewed this Program Development and Performance Improvement Strategies to Improve Patient Engagement and Safety training and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. The term of approval is for one year. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Each live session is approved for 1.25 AAFP Elective credits. Elective credits are available for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants. Attendance at the entire live training and the submission of a post-training evaluation are required to receive credit.

Nancy McLean, MHSA, BSN, RN

Senior Advisor, Regulatory Compliance & Quality, Renaye James Healthcare Advisors

Nancy McLean is a Regulatory Compliance & Quality Senior Advisor at Renaye James Healthcare Advisors and a Hospital/Nursing Home Executive with over twenty (20) years of progressive leadership in the healthcare field. She has demonstrated successful outcomes in hospital, ambulatory, and long-term care organizations.

Nancy is an expert in assisting practices obtain successful regulatory survey outcomes; she has contributed to successful accreditation surveys for TJC, CMS, DNV, and NCQA of organizations with 50 to 900 beds as well as ambulatory practices. She has had nursing directorships for several departments including the emergency department, critical care units, pediatrics, endoscopy suites, medical surgical units, intermediate care units, and rehabilitation units. In addition, she has managed over 30 off-site ambulatory clinics and service lines, including primary and specialty care practices with 250 FTEs and expense budgets of over $5 million.

Nancy has also excelled at developing high-functioning teams. She is a Team STEPPS Master Trainer and she has implemented tools to assist organizations on the path to high reliability. Additionally, Nancy is an accomplished speaker having numerous presentations on quality, risk, high reliability organizations, and The Joint Commission.

Nancy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Wayne State University and a Master of Health Services Administration at The University of Michigan, School of Public Health.

Jarvis T. Gray, MHA, FACHE, PMP, CLSSMBB, CMQ/OE

Founder and Managing Director, The Quality Coaching Co.

Jarvis Gray is a nationally recognized healthcare strategist and the founder of The Quality Coaching Co., a mission-driven consulting firm dedicated to helping rural and community-based healthcare organizations build high-performing teams, execute transformative strategy, and deliver safe and efficient care. With over 20 years of experience and credentials including a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Jarvis has become a trusted partner to critical access hospitals, health centers, state health departments, and rural health networks nationwide.

Presenters