title: Is it quality assurance or quality improvement; and what is it?
abstract: The term quality has a different meaning for everyone. Persons seeking health care have predetermined expectations that the care they receive is efficient, effective, and meets their needs. Through nursing quality improvement programs, nurses themselves can evaluate the efficiency of the care they provide. Through the use of patient surveys, nurses become aware of the patient's needs and degree of satisfaction. Monitor tools based on nursing standards and policies are used to assess the components of care. A successful nursing quality improvement program requires a climate that educates, supports, and encourages staff involvement.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009731:Nursing Audit; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*