Hospice quality improvement programs: an initial examination.
Recognizing that little is known about use of quality improvement (QI) processes to enhance care of the dying, 11 large hospices exchanged information about their QI programs. These hospices reported monitoring from 3 to 50 outcomes measured by various indicators and methods. Agencies that related QI to their organization's mission, goals, and strategic plan were more likely to have dedicated QI staff; a more intense, comprehensive, and participatory QI program; and more QI projects resulting in performance enhancement. Both accomplishments and difficulties were identified in several areas, including establishing benchmarks, involving staff, and using computer technology to manage and analyze QI data.
D'Onofrio
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School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, USA.
D019985:Benchmarking; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control; D006302:Health Services Research; D006738:Hospices / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D008332:Management Quality Circles; D008485:Medical Audit; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010934:Planning Techniques; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States