Defining and measuring quality in health care organizations

As stated above, Quality is multidimensional and involves the perspectives of various stakeholders, including patients and families. As noted in this week’s Learning Resources, defining quality is not a simple, straightforward task. Yet, it provides an essential foundation for being able to measure and assess quality, and, ultimately, to improve it.  In this Discussion, you consider definitions and measurements of quality. As you proceed, think about why it is important for organizations to be able to quantify quality and compare current performance to previous performance, to a set of standards, and/or to performance in other organizations.       

By Day 3:  Post a definition of quality for your selected organization.  1.  Describe at least one quality-related measure that is currently being monitored within the organization.  2. Summarize the data collection process for this measure, and explain how this information is communicated to or among the staff.  3.  Identify at least one strength and one weakness related to how quality is defined, measured, and/or monitored within the organization.

Required Readings  Hickey, J. V., & Brosnan, C. A. (2017). Evaluation  of health care quality in for DNPs (2nd  ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.  •Chapter 6, “Evaluating of Health Care Information Systems and Patient Care Technology” (pp. 143-170) This chapter examines federally mandated use of health information technology to improve health care and care delivery.   Sadeghi, S., Barzi, A., Mikhail, O., & Shabot, M. (2013). Integrating quality and strategy in health care organizations. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.  •Review Chapter 3, “General Concepts in Quality” (pp. 45–82) (assigned in Week 4)    The authors discuss historical perspectives of quality in various industries, and explain the multifaceted nature of defining quality in health care settings.     •Chapter 4, “Current State of Quality Measurement: External Dynamics” (pp. 83–98)    This chapter describes many of the government, nonprofit, and for-profit groups / organizations that contribute to the establishment quality standards and support research to improve the quality of health care.     •Chapter 5, “Current State of Quality Measurement: Internal Dynamics” (pp. 99–110)    This chapter focuses on mandatory and voluntary quality measurement in organizations.     •Chapter 6, “Measuring Quality of Inpatient Care” (pp. 111–132)    This chapter explains the terminology use in quality measurement (e.g., measures, indicators, metrics), and notes that measurement is a critical foundation for the ultimate aim of creating effective changes to improve quality.     •Chapter 8, “Quantifying the Quality Performance Gaps” (pp. 161–177)