Quality improvement: one-third of the quality equation.
In the search for the answer of how best to assure quality healthcare, the latest entry is quality improvement (QI). Quality improvement, however, is neither new nor the panacea for all of our quality concerns. Although it is a significant step along the way toward improving the management of our healthcare organizations, QI is not the total equation. Rather, QI adds to the equation an element that was absent in how we traditionally thought about and performed quality assurance (QA). This article reviews the components of quality management, compares QA with QI, and provides guidance in integrating QI with current QA practices.
Bliersbach
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Dept. of Mental Health & Retardation, Augusta, ME.
D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011786:Quality Control; D014481:United States