Approaches to Valid Quality Assistance

Abstract

All the changes and introductions of measurement tools reviewed here have transformed medical practice, and the revolution is far from complete. Much more study, research, reflection and testing are necessary to bring quality management and accountability in health care to functional maturity. More developments have been tried and found wanting than have found satisfactory use. In some areas the level of knowledge is no more than embryonic, and in others it is still in its infancy. However, enough initiatives have reached levels of respect and implementation to demonstrate that the assessment and improvement of quality in health care will remain important, perhaps essential elements of practice and administration. The most significant achievement of recent years is the now willingness by all sectors of the health care industry as well as the health care professions to include not only cost but also quality assessments as part of what has become the business of health care.