Health Care Quality
What is the definition of Health Care Quality?
The degree to which health services improve health outcomes and align with professional knowledge.
What is a diagnostic error?
An incorrect or delayed diagnosis (e.g., misinterpreting lab results).
What is the Swiss Cheese Model?
A theory that explains errors occur when weaknesses in multiple safety layers align, leading to harm.
What does a culture of safety promote?
Teamwork, open communication, and continuous improvement.
What organization oversees Medicare & Medicaid services?
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Name two components of quality of care
Patient-centered care, safety, efficiency, evidence-based care, resource efficiency, patient satisfaction
Name one example of a treatment error.
Administering the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, wrong procedure.
What does Crew Resource Management (CRM) emphasize?
Teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills to enhance safety (borrowed from aviation).
What is Just Culture?
A system that encourages error reporting without punishment but holds individuals accountable when necessary.
What is the role of The Joint Commission?
Accredits and certifies healthcare organizations to ensure safety and quality standards.
What does evidence-based care delivery mean?
Using the best research and clinical expertise to guide patient treatment.
What is a latent error?
A system-based failure that is not immediately visible but contributes to mistakes (e.g., poor EHR design).
What is Human Factors science?
The study of how humans interact with technology and the work environment to reduce errors.
Why is error reporting important in a Just Culture?
It helps identify problems, prevent future errors, and improve patient safety.
Why is transparency important in healthcare?
It builds patient trust and encourages learning from mistakes.
What is patient-centered care?
Providing care that respects and responds to individual patient needs, preferences, and values.
How does miscommunication contribute to patient harm?
It can lead to incorrect treatments, delayed care, or medication errors.
What is the focus of High-Reliability Organizations (HROs)?
Operating in high-risk environments while maintaining low error rates.
What is an active error?
A direct mistake made by a healthcare provider (e.g., administering the wrong medication).
How should errors be communicated to patients and families?
Promptly and openly, with clear explanations and corrective actions.
What are the six major attributes of high-quality care?
Safety, Effectiveness, Patient-Centeredness, Timeliness, Efficiency, and Equity.
What is a preventive error?
Failure to provide necessary preventive care (e.g., not administering vaccines).
How does the Swiss Cheese Model relate to safety in healthcare?
It illustrates how multiple safeguards should exist to prevent harm, but when gaps align, errors occur.
Name two strategies to improve a culture of safety.
Encouraging teamwork, improving communication, implementing safety checklists, leadership commitment.
What are two benefits of regulatory oversight in healthcare?
Ensures patient safety, reduces errors, improves care quality, enforces standards.