The Definition Of Quality And Approaches To Its Assessment

This seminal series on quality assessment provides a sound basis for understanding, assessing, & improving healthcare quality. The Definition of Quality & Approaches to Its Assessment includes a conceptual exploration of the definition of quality; an empirical exploration based on reported practical experience; & a test of the validity & usefulness of the structure, process, & outcome approach to conceptualizing quality.

To assess the quality of medical care one must first unravel a mystery: the meaning of quality itself. Perhaps it is useful to begin with the obvious by saying that quality is a property that medical care can have in varying degrees. It follows that an assessment of quality is a judgment whether a specified instance of medical care has this property, and, if so, to what extent. What is by no means clear is whether quality is a single attribute, a class of functionally related attributes, or a heterogeneous assortment gathered into a bundle by established usage, administrative fiat, or personal preference. The definition and specification of attributes is, only part of the problem. The phenomena or objects to which these attributes pertain are also poorly defined. Given these ambiguities, it is no wonder that the quality of medical care has been perceived and defined in so many different ways. But these many variants are not a random assortment. There is an underlying conceptual structure that seems to embrace them all, revealing the sources of their similarities and the reasons for their differences.

The National Roundtable on Health Care Quality was established in 1995 by the Institute of Medicine. The Roundtable consists of experts formally appointed through procedures of the National Research Council (NRC) who represent both public and private-sector perspectives and appropriate areas of substantive expertise (not organizations). From the public sector, heads of appropriate Federal agencies serve. It offers a unique, nonadversarial environment to explore ongoing rapid changes in the medical marketplace and the implications of these changes for the quality of health and health care in this nation. The Roundtable has a liaison panel focused on quality of care in managed care organizations. The Roundtable convenes nationally prominent representatives of the private and public sector (regional, state and federal), academia, patients, and the health media to analyze unfolding issues concerning quality, to hold workshops and commission papers on significant topics, and when appropriate, to produce periodic statements for the nation on quality of care matters. By providing a structured opportunity for regular communication and interaction, the Roundtable fosters candid discussion among individuals who represent various sides of a given issue.

Health psychology is a rapidly expanding discipline at the interface of psychology and clinical medicine. This new edition is fully reworked and revised, offering an entirely up-to-date, comprehensive, accessible, one-stop resource for clinical psychologists, mental health professionals and specialists in health-related matters. There are two new editors: Susan Ayers from the University of Sussex and Kenneth Wallston from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The prestigious editorial team and their international, interdisciplinary cast of authors have reconceptualised their much-acclaimed handbook. The book is now in two parts: part I covers psychological aspects of health and illness, assessments, interventions and healthcare practice. Part II covers medical matters listed in alphabetical order. Among the many new topics added are: diet and health, ethnicity and health, clinical interviewing, mood assessment, communicating risk, medical interviewing, diagnostic procedures, organ donation, IVF, MMR, HRT, sleep disorders, skin disorders, depression and anxiety disorders.

The National Roundtable on Health Care Quality was established in 1995 by the Institute of Medicine. The Roundtable consists of experts formally appointed through procedures of the National Research Council (NRC) who represent both public and private-sector perspectives and appropriate areas of substantive expertise (not organizations). From the public sector, heads of appropriate Federal agencies serve. It offers a unique, nonadversarial environment to explore ongoing rapid changes in the medical marketplace and the implications of these changes for the quality of health and health care in this nation. The Roundtable has a liaison panel focused on quality of care in managed care organizations. The Roundtable convenes nationally prominent representatives of the private and public sector (regional, state and federal), academia, patients, and the health media to analyze unfolding issues concerning quality, to hold workshops and commission papers on significant topics, and when appropriate, to produce periodic statements for the nation on quality of care matters. By providing a structured opportunity for regular communication and interaction, the Roundtable fosters candid discussion among individuals who represent various sides of a given issue.

This classic resource offers complete coverage of nursing case management - from theoretical background and historical perspective to practical applications and how the field is changing to meet the challenges of today's health care environment. It focuses on the implementation of various case management models used throughout the United States and abroad. Key topics include the impact of public policy on health care; understanding the effects of health care reimbursement and its application at the patient level; throughput and capacity management; the impact of the revenue cycle; compliance and regulatory issues; and principles needed to improve case manager-client interaction. This helpful resource is designed to help nurse case managers assess their organization's readiness for case management, prepare and implement a plan to achieve necessary improvements and evaluate the plan's success. Includes numerous proven case management models currently being used in institutions across the country Organized to take the nursing case manager on a journey from the historical development of nursing case management to the successful implementation of a case management program Offers detailed guidance for planning, implementing, and evaluating a case management program Outlines the planning process with information on key topics such as analysis of the organization, the role of the organization's members, selection criteria for new case managers, case management education, credentialing, and partnerships Features guidelines for implementing a case management program with information on ethical issues, technology, compliance, and regulatory issues Addresses the evaluation component of developing and implementing a case management program by presenting information on outcomes, research, documentation, continuous quality improvement, measuring cost effectiveness, care continuum, and evidence-based practice Presents acute care and community based models of case management Highlights the evolution of collaborative models of case management, addressing key elements of joint decision-making, shared accountability, and interdisciplinary systems of care Addresses health care delivery through case management and public policy by presenting current legislative issues and their affect on both health care reimbursement and the application of care at the patient level Presents the insights, experiences, and advice of nursing administrators who have researched and successfully implemented nursing case management programs in various facilities

Fully revised and updated for the third edition, the Oxford Handbook of Public Health Practice remains the first resort for all those working in this broad field. Structured to assist with practical tasks, translating evidence into policy, and providing concise summaries and real-world issues from across the globe, this literally provides a world of experience at your fingertips. Easy-to-use, concise and practical, it is structured into seven parts that focus on the vital areas of assessment, data and information, direct action, policy, health-care systems, personal effectiveness and organisational development. Reflecting recent advances, the most promising developments in practical public health are presented, as well as maintaining essential summaries of core disciplines. This handbook is designed to assist students and practitioners around the world, for improved management of disasters, epidemics, health behaviour, acute and chronic disease prevention, community and government action, environmental health, vulnerable populations, and more.

Quality Improvement A Guide for Integration in Nursing, Second Edition is an integral resource for both nursing students and professionals. Quality improvement is a crucial part of healthcare and one that nurses are charged with implementing daily as they care for patients.