Question

Identify how various quality assurance plans can be used to improve healthcare services.

Your response should be at least 200 words in length.

Answer 1

According to Donabedian, 1982 Quality assurance is a judgement concerning the process of care, based on the extent to which that care contributes to valued outcome.

Quality assurance has focused on structure, process and outcomes. Structures include the adequacy of health care facilities, the qualification of practitioners and financial aspect of care. The process were the aspects of care and outcomes focus effectiveness of care. So the quality improvement plan emphasis three aspects structure, process and outcome.

In terms of structure a well facilities such as building, machinery, equipment etc with adequate quality and quantity. It also emphasis the human resources, highly qualified and skilled health care personal is essential for delivering high quality care. Along with, well planned inservice education would provide with updation.  

Process emphasis standard of practice in terms of patient safety, ethical and legal issue, medicine administration, stress management. It can be enhanced by policy, procedure manual, check list, proper documentation, infection control practices etc. It can be evaluated by morbidity, hospital acquired infection, patient feed back. It also implies the outcome.