As the movement to improve quality in health care has evolved over the past several decades, organizations whose missions focus on supporting and promoting quality in health care have defined essential concepts, standards, and measures that comprise quality and that can be used to guide quality improvement (QI) work. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines quality in clinical care as safe, effective, and people-centered service.1 These 3 pillars of quality form the foundation of a quality system aiming to deliver health care in a timely, equitable, efficient, and integrated manner. The WHO estimates that 5.7 to 8.4 million deaths occur yearly in low- and middle-income countries due to poor quality care. Regarding safety, patient harm from unsafe care is estimated to be among the top 10 causes of death and disability worldwide.2 A health care QI plan involves identifying areas for improvement, setting measurable goals, implementing evidence-based strategies and interventions, monitoring progress toward achieving those goals, and continuously evaluating and adjusting the plan as needed to ensure sustained improvement over time. Such a plan can be implemented at various levels of health care organizations, from individual clinical units to entire hospitals or even regional health care systems.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) identifies 5 domains of quality in health care: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, patient-centeredness, and safety.3 Effectiveness relies on providing care processes supported by scientific evidence and achieving desired outcomes in the IOM recommendations. The primary efficiency aim maximizes the quality of health care delivered or the benefits achieved for a given resource unit. Equity relates to providing health care of equal quality to all individuals, regardless of personal characteristics. Moreover, patient-centeredness relates to meeting patients’ needs and preferences and providing education and support. Safety relates to avoiding actual or potential harm. Timeliness relates to obtaining needed care while minimizing delays. Finally, the IOM defines health care quality as the systematic evaluation and provision of evidence-based and safe care characterized by a culture of continuous improvement, resulting in optimal health outcomes. Taking all these concepts into consideration, 4 key attributes have been identified as essential to the global definition of health care quality: effectiveness, safety, culture of continuous improvement, and desired outcomes. This conceptualization of health care quality encompasses the fundamental components and has the potential to enhance the delivery of care. This definition’s theoretical and practical implications provide a comprehensive and consistent understanding of the elements required to improve health care and maintain public trust.
Health care quality is a dynamic, ever-evolving construct that requires continuous assessment and evaluation to ensure the delivery of care meets the changing needs of society. The National Quality Forum’s National Voluntary Consensus Standards for health care provide measures, guidance, and recommendations on achieving effective outcomes through evidence-based practices.4 These standards establish criteria by which health care systems and providers can assess and improve their quality performance.
In the United States, in order to implement and disseminate best practices, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed Quality Payment Programs that offer incentives to health care providers to improve the quality of care delivery. This CMS program evaluates providers based on their performance in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System performance categories.5 These include measures related to patient experience, cost, clinical quality, improvement activities, and the use of certified electronic health record technology. The scores that providers receive are used to determine their performance-based reimbursements under Medicare’s fee-for-service program.
The concept of health care quality is also applicable in other countries. In the United Kingdom, QI initiatives are led by the Department of Health and Social Care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produces guidelines on best practices to ensure that care delivery meets established safety and quality standards, reaching cost-effectiveness excellence.6 In Australia, the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care is responsible for setting benchmarks for performance in health care systems through a clear, structured agenda.7 Ultimately, health care quality is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach to ensure the best outcomes for patients. With the implementation of measures such as the CMS Quality Payment Programs and NICE guidelines, health care organizations can take steps to ensure their systems of care delivery reflect evidence-based practices and demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality care.
Implementing a health care QI plan that encompasses the 4 key attributes of health care quality—effectiveness, safety, culture of continuous improvement, and desired outcomes—requires collaboration among different departments and stakeholders and a data-driven approach to decision-making. Effective communication with patients and their families is critical to ensuring that their needs are being met and that they are active partners in their health care journey. While a health care QI plan is essential for delivering high-quality, safe patient care, it also helps health care organizations comply with regulatory requirements, meet accreditation standards, and stay competitive in the ever-evolving health care landscape.
Corresponding author: Ebrahim Barkoudah, MD, MPH; Ebrahim.Barkoudah@baystatehealth.org