A review of the literature on quality assurance programs. Reported outcomes and intervention types

A current emphasis within quality assurance (QA) is on the measurement of outcome. While QA programs have been quick to praise the benefits of outcomes, it has not been clear to what extent outcome assessments have been incorporated into their activities and published papers. An analysis of QA reports published in 1987-1990 indicates that QA papers still commonly do not report quantitative immediate or long-term outcomes. Other features of published QA studies, including the types of interventions used to improve care, are also described. The lack of outcome information will continue to pose obstacles to evaluating the effects of various types of interventions on improving the quality of patient care.