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Continuous quality improvement. Improving quality in your home care organization
N L Bohnet1, J Ilcyn, P S Milanovich
1Home Health Services Foundation, Inc., Butler, PA.
The Journal of Nursing Administration
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Implementing a continuous quality improvement program in home care enhances competitiveness and survival. This program was initiated, implemented, and accelerated over 16 months, with clinical activities monitored via quality assessment.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Quality Improvement Science
Background:
- Competitive markets necessitate a strong commitment to quality for organizational survival.
- Home care organizations face unique challenges in maintaining high standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the implementation of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) program in a home care setting.
- To examine the initiation, implementation, and acceleration phases of a CQI program.
- To illustrate methods for monitoring clinical activities through quality assessment.
Main Methods:
- Case study of a single home care organization.
- Program implementation over a 16-month period.
- Quality assessment for monitoring clinical activities.
Main Results:
- Successful initiation, implementation, and acceleration of a CQI program within 16 months.
- Established a system for ongoing quality assessment of clinical activities.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of rapid CQI program development in home care.
Conclusions:
- Continuous quality improvement is crucial for home care organizations to thrive in competitive environments.
- A structured approach can facilitate the rapid implementation and acceleration of CQI programs.
- Effective quality assessment is vital for monitoring and improving clinical care in home settings.