Quality: the Mayo Clinic approach.
Developing highly reliable care for patients requires changes in some traditional beliefs of medical practice, an evolution toward a "system" of health care, the disciplined application of scientific principles, modifications in the way all future providers are trained, and a fundamental understanding by leadership that quality must become a business strategy and core work, not an expense or regulatory requirement. Quality at Mayo is defined as a composite of outcomes, safety, and service. A 4-part strategic construct focusing on Culture, Infrastructure, Engineering, and Execution has been developed to guide improvement activities and to ensure a comprehensive approach to better patient care. The Mayo Clinic experience has led to a greater understanding of the leadership commitment, organizational challenges, and the breadth of initiatives necessary to achieve highly reliable care.
Swensen
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. swensen.stephen@mayo.edu
Dilling
James A
JA
Milliner
Dawn S
DS
Zimmerman
Richard S
RS
Maples
William J
WJ
Lindsay
Mark E
ME
Bartley
George B
GB
D003142:Communication; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D006770:Hospitals, Group Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000592:standards; D008910:Minnesota; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration