April 21-July 2
Submission Portal Open
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20005
Share Your Innovation
The Abstract Competition and Poster Display is designed to encourage hospitals and health care providers to present their original work. All posters are welcome even if it’s your first time submitting, we encourage your participation. All winners of the poster competition will present their posters during a conference session, and top 20 submissions will have their posters on display during DCHA’s Health Care & Innovation Summit on October 21, 2026. The competition emphasizes quality improvement methodology, provides a venue to share innovative and effective educational programs, showcases unique community projects, and encourages networking among peers with similar interests. Deadline for submissions is Noon on July 2, 2026.
Poster Instructions
A poster is a visual guide that summarizes information or research concisely and attractively to help publicize it and generate discussion. The poster is typically a mixture of a brief text with tables, graphs, pictures, and other presentation formats. Each poster needs to include the following:
- The poster must be landscape orientation and submitted as a PDF.
- Word count should not exceed 800 words.
- Size should be scaled to 36” W x 24”H for printing.
- Once printed and mounted, posters should be able to be displayed on an easel.
Visuals & Text
- Present numerical data in the form of graphs, rather than words or tables (graphs make trends in the data more evident). If data must be presented in table form, keep it simple.
- Visuals should be simple and bold.
- Avoid acronyms and extensive mathematical notations as much as possible.
- Avoid submitting compactly packed, high word-count posters.
- Use bright colors to enhance the detail.
- In addition to your project detail, the text could also include future research plans or questions.
Judging Criteria
Innovation
Weight: 2
- Innovative techniques within patient safety & quality
- Novel approach to improve existing practices
Replicability
Weight: 3
- Ability to be adopted by others
Performance Improvement
Weight: 3
- Identification and improvement of processes or outcomes
- Use of performance improvement methodologies [e.g., PDCA, lean, six sigma]
Demonstrated Impact
Weight: 3
- Measurable improvement to patient safety or quality
- Addresses positive outcome or lessons learned
Abstract Instructions
Weight: 1
- Conveys the essential information
- Follows logical format
- Visuals included numerical data and are clear and concise
- Figures convey the improvement processes
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Other Considerations
- All scores are final and confidential. DCHA does not provide individual feedback from reviewers or release the identity of the review group.
- Top 20 posters will be expected to print their posters for display at DCHA’s Health Care & Innovation Summit. One individual per poster will be provided with a complimentary registration.
- Top 3 posters will win an award for their hospital, and the poster winners will present during a session at the Summit. One award winner per poster will be provided with a complimentary registration.