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H H S Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Information Technology and Quality
Improvement

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What is Quality?

According to the HRSA Office of Health Information Technology and Quality, “Quality healthcare is the provision of appropriate services to individuals and populations that are consistent with current professional knowledge, in a technically competent manner with good communication, shared decision-making and cultural sensitivity.  Good quality healthcare is evidence based; increases the likelihood of desired health outcomes; and, addresses six aims—safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable—using a systems approach to continuously improve clinical, operational and financial domains.”

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defines quality as: “The degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.”   The six aims for improvement noted by the HRSA Office of  Health Information Technology and Quality were developed by the Committee on the Quality of Health Care in America convened by the IOM and further defined in its final report entitled “Crossing the Quality Chasm.”  The Foundation for Accountability (FACCT) also developed a patient-centric quality measurement framework that focused on the following domains: staying healthy, getting better, living with illness or disability, and coping with end of life.

Related Resources:

Domains of Quality go to exit disclaimer- California Office of the Patient Advocate
What Is Quality? - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Focus On: Crossing the Quality Chasm go to exit disclaimer- Institute of Medicine

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