title: Quality: the Mayo Clinic approach.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. swensen.stephen@mayo.edu
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Swensen
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Dilling
authors: Dawn S
authors: DS
authors: Milliner
authors: Richard S
authors: RS
authors: Zimmerman
authors: William J
authors: WJ
authors: Maples
authors: Mark E
authors: ME
authors: Lindsay
authors: George B
authors: GB
authors: Bartley
mesh_terms: 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