The quality improvement process: one approach to education.
Quality improvement (QI) is a practice now expected of the healthcare industry. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has incorporated continuous QI into its standards; furthermore, the implementation of QI is a major challenge facing healthcare institutions today. The authors describe the educational approach taken by one institution as it implemented the QI process in a facility that recently merged three acute care hospitals and explain the necessary commitment and structure for a successful QI program. The importance of the educational process cannot be overemphasized.
Medical Center of Central Massachusetts, Worcester.
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Hylka
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Shugrue
D004496:Education, Continuing; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D008404:Massachusetts; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011367:Professional Staff Committees / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*