Quality improvement (QI) is a concept used in health care to refer to the systematic and continuous actions employed in health care settings that lead to measurable improvement in the health outcomes of patients. Quality is directly linked to the level of improved health services of a health care facility. In health care settings, QI actions focus on four key principles, namely, “QI works as systems and processes, focus on patients, focus on being part of the team, and focus on the use of data” (“U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -Health Resources and Services Administration” (HRSA), 2011, 1). To improve the quality of its services, an organization must focus on these four key principles in its QI process.
QI is applied in health care organizations in several ways. The first way involves collecting and analyzing data existing data on patient outcomes. Through this, an organization can identify areas for improvement. Another way is to use the QI framework and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles” (HRSA, 2011). PDSA is key to accelerating any QI process. Other ways QI can be applied in health care settings include utilizing health analytics insights and learning from the variation of data.
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Currently, I work as a quality review analyst in a health care facility located in Illinois, USA. To improve the quality of its services, the facility purposefully leverages patient and physician insights to personalize care as well as drive engagement. These initiatives help this health care facility improve its quality of care and boost health outcomes. What my employer does can be applied to health care through QI initiatives as it involves collecting and analyzing data pertaining to patient outcomes and consumer or physician insights.
References
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). (2011). Quality improvement. [Online]. Retrieved September 11, 2020, from https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/quality/toolbox/508pdfs/qualityimprovement.pdf
