The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the flaws in patient care delivery in many
healthcare organizations. Hospitals scrambled to deal with inadequate
supplies of ventilators and personal protective equipment while
simultaneously combating the inefficiencies inherent in their existing
systems. Outpatient areas struggled to deliver care in an environment
that was safe for both workers and patients. The pandemic was a reminder
that a focus on comprehensive quality management is vital to the daily
work of healthcare providers and those they treat. Applying Quality
Management in Healthcare: A Systems Approach examines the real-world
tools and techniques necessary for improving systems that affect patient
care outcomes. Author Patrice L. Spath explains how to explore and
modify interconnected systems to make lasting changes that benefit the
entire organization. This updated edition features a new chapter on
three organizational characteristics that advance success in quality
management: continuous improvement, high reliability, and
accountability. Throughout, the book emphasizes the role of leadership
in all aspects of quality. Management concepts are supported by
real-life examples from different settings to further readers'
understanding. Other new content in this edition includes: strategies
for creating an organizational culture that supports ongoing
improvement; data measurement techniques for analyzing inpatient and
outpatient performance; regulations affecting quality activities in
hospitals and other healthcare facilities; and external forces, such as
a pandemic, that require a greater focus on systems. Each chapter
concludes with challenging exercises that give readers a chance to apply
what they have learned. A practice lab at the end of the book offers 11
rigorous assignments for a deeper exploration of the concepts presented.
Improving quality management processes is the first step toward
providing better healthcare. Everyone--from senior leaders and
department managers to supervisors and frontline workers--can benefit
from these enhancements, leading to greater job performance and,
ultimately, safer patient care.
