A guide to highly effective quality programs.
To dramatically improve quality while decreasing costs, hospitals should: ensure all executives are vocal and visible supporters of quality improvement; focus the board of directors on quality as a strategic priority; strategically target quality resources to improve care for the majority of patients; use the finance system as the foundation for automated quality reporting; form a strong alliance between the CFO and chief quality officer, with each playing a leadership role in the quality program; rely on a well-executed quality program to improve efficiency and decrease the cost of care.
Byrnes
John
J
Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. john.byrnes@spectrum-health.org
Fifer
Joe
J
D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006268:Health Facilities; D006739:Hospital Administration; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States