Managing and Improving Quality

Managing and Improving Quality

Kristi Crowder

HCS/588

July 9, 2012

Amos Hunter

Managing and Improving Quality

Quality health care is defined as “the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge” (Lohr & Schroeder, 1990, pp 1161). There are processes that are inefficient and variable, the continual changing case mix of patients, and differences in a health care provider’s education and experience which contribute to the complexity of health care.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has stated that today’s health care industry functions at a lower level than it can and should, therefore developing six aims of health care: effective, safe, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable (Institute of Medicine, 2001). The goals of measuring health care quality are determined by assessing how well health care organizations and professional adhere to processes based on scientific evidence and patient preferences.

The Quality Improvement (QI) target is the outcome, process, or structure that is intended to increase the quality of care. A QI target can be the measurement of disease control, direct health outcomes (morbidity and mortality) and intermediate outcomes proven to influence direct patient outcomes (Hemoglobin A1c or blood pressure reduction). Adherence to processes of care by Primary Care Providers (guidelines and performance measurements) and by patients (adherence to medications and self-management).

Quality Improvement Models

There are many types of Quality Improvement models that organizations can chose from to obtain and review quality improvement data. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) aims at making positive changes in a health care organization’s processes for favorable outcomes. This model is used widely by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. It is a cyclic model that continually assesses...