Quality & Patient Safety -College of Medicine
UF Health<br />

Knowledgebase

A repository of quality improvement and patient safety resources and tools hosted by the Quality and Patient Safety Initiative (QPSi) University of Florida Health.

Driver Diagrams

A driver diagram is a visual tool used in quality improvement to map out the contributing factors that influence a specific aim, particularly in complex systems like healthcare. It essentially provides a roadmap for achieving a desired outcome.

In a clinical context, a driver diagram helps healthcare teams:

Focus efforts
By visually outlining the key factors, teams can prioritize interventions.

Develop interventions
The diagram serves as a framework for brainstorming and developing specific changes.

Track progress
By monitoring the impact of interventions on the drivers, teams can assess progress towards the aim.

Communicate effectively
It provides a shared understanding of the improvement process among team members.

Ultimately, the driver diagram allows clinical teams to systematically identify, test, and implement changes that contribute to improved patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.

Quality Improvement Methods

Driver Diagrams, PDSA

Problem Solving & Analysis

Problem Definition

Explore More Topics

Quality Improvement Promotion Journey

Guidance for faculty on using Quality Improvement work to support promotion, using the Quality Portfolio framework to document impact across leadership, education, research, and more.

AI Classification Models

An introduction to key AI classification metrics—like sensitivity, specificity, and AUC—that help clinicians interpret model performance, assess reliability, and apply AI insights to improve patient care.

IHI Model for Improvement

The IHI Model for Improvement guides teams through setting clear goals and testing changes using the PDSA cycle. It supports structured, measurable improvement in clinical processes and patient outcomes.