Healthcare Quality and Safety.
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Innovation and Technology course at Stanmore School of Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Adverse Event #
An event that results in harm to a patient, such as an injury or illness, and is caused by medical management rather than the underlying condition of the patient.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) #
An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that supports research to improve the quality and safety of healthcare.
Appropriateness #
The degree to which healthcare services are consistent with current professional knowledge and patient preferences.
Benchmarking #
The process of comparing an organization's performance metrics to those of other organizations to identify best practices and areas for improvement.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) #
A federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers the nation's major healthcare programs.
Clinical Practice Guidelines #
Evidence-based recommendations for healthcare providers to use in making decisions about patient care.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) #
A systematic approach to improving healthcare quality by identifying areas for improvement, developing interventions, and evaluating outcomes.
Data Collection #
The process of gathering information on healthcare processes and outcomes to evaluate performance and make improvements.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) #
A digital version of a patient's paper chart that contains information about the patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results.
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) #
A proactive method for identifying and addressing potential failures in healthcare processes before they occur.
Health Information Technology (HIT) #
The use of technology to manage and exchange health information.
Incident Reporting #
The process of reporting any event that could have or did harm a patient, staff member, or visitor in a healthcare setting.
Joint Commission #
An independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) #
Quantifiable measures that reflect the critical success factors of an organization.
Lean Six Sigma #
A methodology that combines Lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma quality management tools to improve processes and reduce defects.
Medication Reconciliation #
The process of creating the most accurate list possible of all medications a patient is taking and comparing that list with the physician's admission, transfer, and/or discharge orders.
National Patient Safety Goals #
Goals established by The Joint Commission to help accredited organizations address specific areas of concern in regards to patient safety.
Outcomes Measurement #
The process of evaluating the results of healthcare interventions to determine their effectiveness.
Patient Safety Culture #
The values, beliefs, and norms that shape the behavior of individuals and groups in healthcare organizations with respect to patient safety.
Quality Improvement (QI) #
The systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in healthcare services and the health status of targeted patient groups.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) #
A method of problem-solving used to identify the underlying causes of adverse events in healthcare.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) #
Step-by-step instructions that describe how to perform a routine operation or activity.
TeamSTEPPS #
A teamwork system designed for healthcare professionals that is focused on improving communication and teamwork skills among healthcare professionals.
Value #
Based Purchasing (VBP): A payment strategy that rewards healthcare providers with incentive payments for the quality of care they provide to Medicare beneficiaries.