About
Yolanda Walsh
Improvement Consultant
Following a career start as a critical care nurse, I felt the need to explore health sciences education and this developed organically into addressing issues around patient safety and led me to the science of quality improvement. The opportunities to make sustainable changes steered a career dedicated to building quality improvement capability.
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Since 2010, I have designed, led, facilitated and implemented a number of large-scale quality improvement projects for a large private hospital group in South Africa, with a main focus on the themes of improving systems and culture through the application of improvement science.
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In pursuing my passion for improvement science, I have held the position of Chairperson for both the Best Care Always Campaign and the organising committee of the Quality Improvement Summits. These initiatives have significantly enabled healthcare service providers in across the South African public and private sectors.
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My approach is scientific, respectful, inclusive and systems driven. This approach guarantees sustained learnings and results.
Experience
Programme
Management
Lead a large-scale programme to enhance the working environment and expertise of the nursing workforce for a large hospital group.
Patient Safety Lead
Patient safety lead for a large hospital group.
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Facilitation of Clinical Projects
Facilitation of numerous clinical projects to improve patient safety and reduce patient harm.
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Qualifications and Studies
BCur (Cum Laude)
University of Stellenbosch (2000)
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BCur Honours Critical Care Nursing (Cum Laude)
University of Stellenbosch (2003)
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Post graduate Diploma in Nursing Education
University of Stellenbosch (2008)
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Undertook an MPhil in Health Sciences Education (University of Stellenbosch) (2009-2013). All modules completed with the exception of the research module. The proposed research (with ethics approval) was on Video Conferencing Journal Clubs. With a move from formal education to facilitating clinical projects, the emphasis shifted and the research was not completed, but this was a good foundation for the work in doing virtual learning.
Johns Hopkins University’s short course The Science of Safety in Healthcare
(2013)
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Published Journal Articles
Journal Articles
Sept. 23, 2023 at 11am
South African Journal of Critical Care (SAJCC)
Journal Articles
Sept. 23, 2023 at 11am