6231 Defining and Measuring Quality in Health Care Organizations

Quality is multidimensional and involves the perspectives of various stakeholders, including patients and families. As noted in this weeks 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.

To prepare:

Think about a health care organization with which you are familiar.  How do you think various stakeholders in this organization would define quality? How would you define quality as it relates to this organization?
Review the information on quality standards and / or aims in the Learning Resources, and consider the following:
Which outcomes related to quality are currently being monitored in the organization that you have selected?
How is related data collected and evaluated?
Does the organization use health information technology in this regard? If so, how?
How is quality-related information (e.g., data, needs for improvement) communicated throughout the organization?
What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the current approach to quality in this organization?

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

Required 3 APA STYLE REFERENCES