Introduction

Being a professional means making an investment in your profession. With today's patient being much more informed about health care and much more discerning about treatment appropriateness and quality, it is vital that you rise to meet the challenges of the patient and health care delivery. As a working technologist, you will be asked to do more with less--more examinations, more patients, in much less time--without compromising quality. As a department director, you will be expected to provide the highest quality care in your department with fewer people and a great deal less financial support.

The changes that have to be made to allow this to happen will be difficult and many times painful. This course is an overview of the concept of continuous quality improvement and how changes can be made more smoothly.

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Delineate the role of the health care manager in continuous quality improvement.
• Describe the 8 step model for continuous quality improvement.
• Apply the tools used in implementing a continuous quality improvement program.
• Identify the barriers to successful continuous quality improvement.

This course is divided into individual units. A unit examination accompanies each unit of instruction and is designed as an "open book" evaluation of the material. Be sure to complete the unit exam at the end of each unit. Some units may require special drawings, work, etc. Some work is to be submitted by e-mail as attachments.   Please use only the accepted formats.  The final exam is CLOSED book. Pay close attention to those requirements.

Proctor Forms:  The Radiologic Sciences at Midwestern State University uses Proctor U, a commercial proctor company, to test all students.  Information about Proctor U is available in each course.

Final Exam:  The final exam will consist of a closed-book format, and you will have two hours to complete it.  The final consists of 8 questions requiring you to work through a provided scenario.  The scenario may focus on areas such as MRI, Mammography, Diagnostic Radiography, Special Procedures, etc. It will not matter what the area is, even if you have no expertise in that area, as it is the process of problem-solving that matters.

*If you have questions or experience difficulties during the semester, please contact your instructor.*

Grading/Evaluation

Your course grade will be based on the following:

  The following grading scale is used for this course:

Course information, quizzes, and supplemental information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the open periods as posted in the online course.  Students are welcome to access their courses at any time.

Attendance is at the student's convenience during the open periods of the discussion boards and quizzes.

Unit exams close on dates posted on the course web site.  Exams are not reopened and receive a grade of zero.  Discussion board postings must also meet the deadlines posted on the web site.

Note:  LIfe happens, sometimes unexpectedly.  If something unforeseen comes up, please inform me as soon as possible.  Beth.Veale@mwsu.edu

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.