Module 3. Session 2 Introduction to quality in health care.

Module 3. Session 2

Introduction to quality in health care

How is quality assured?“It is the duty of each health care body to

put and keep in place arrangements for the purpose of monitoring and improving the quality of health care provided by and

for that body.”

What is quality assurance?

Process of measuring quality, analysing the deficiencies discovered and taking action to improve performance, followed by measuring quality again to determine whether improvement has taken place.

A systematic process for closing the gap between actual performance and desirable outcomes.

Defining quality in health care

Quality can be defined in various waysQuality is getting the best results possible

within the available resources (Policy on Quality in Health Care for South Africa, National Department of Health, April 2007

Quality is the level of attainment of health systems’ intrinsic goals for health improvement and responsiveness to legitimate expectations of the population (World Health Organization)

In other words

Quality is the extent to which health services provided to individuals and patient populations improve desired health outcomes.

The care should be based on the strongest clinical evidence and provided in a technically and culturally competent manner with good communication and shared decision making.

Why does quality matter?

Better for patient

Good health outcome

Client satisfaction

Value for money

Less frustrating

In the US, only 55% of chronically ill patients receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Better for health care providers

Better for the institution

Patients more satisfied with services

More patients will use the service

The environment will improve

Facility will have a good reputation

And - poor quality of care costs money

Costs of wrong diagnosis and wrong treatment - repeated visits to clinic, prolonged illness, death

Wasted time to patient and health worker

Patients do not comply to treatment

Unnecessary laboratory tests and reagents

Low staff morale – absenteeism etc.

Studies show that additional hospitalization, litigation costs, infections acquired in hospitals, lost income, disability and medical expenses have cost some countries between US$ 6 billion and US$ 29 billion a year.

Access to services.No financial,

geographical, social, cultural,

organisational or linguistic barriers

Effectiveness.Intervention lead to the desired result.

EvidenceTechnical

competence

Safe. Minimal risk of

injury and infection

Efficient. Product and service

affordability. Maximise resources

and minimise waste?

Equitable. Delivering health care which does not vary in

quality because of personal characteristics such as gender, race,

ethnicity, geographical location, or

socioeconomic status;

Patient centred.

Responsive to patient needs

and acceptableRelevant.

Is the overall pattern and balance of

services the best hat can be achieved with

the needs of the populations?

Dimensions of quality - Maxwell

What do health care managers want ?Provide for needs of the health

care providers and patients.

Equity, access and effectiveness

Efficient use of funds

Appropriate use of resources

Accountable to politically set goals and targets

What do health care providers want He / she has the skills, resources and

conditions necessary to improve the health status of the patient

Technical competence, effectiveness and safety

Degree to which health care meets the current technical state of the art

Freedom to act in the full interest of the patient

Accountable to professional standards

Safe and clean workplace