title: [Quality, productivity and costs].
abstract: This article analyses some of the different relationships between the three concepts. Even though for some time the emphasis was made on the need to improve productivity, apparently under the assumption that the levels of quality would then be improved, there is evidence now that the best way to go is exactly the opposite. Increases in productivity not necessarily produce better quality and can even harm it. Therefore, it is proposed that strategies of quality assurance should be prioritized in order to improve productivity and contain costs.
authors.affiliation: Fundación Mexicana para la Salud, México, D.F.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ruelas-Barajas
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration
vernacular_title: Calidad, productividad y costos.