Continuous quality improvement
Health care quality is estimated on the basis of relevant indicators related to a sufficient number of health care workers according to population, the capacity of health care facilities, equipment, and related to indicators of process and performance outcomes, as well as other indicators for evaluating the quality of health care (Article 203 Health Care Law of the Republic of Serbia).
The health care law under the quality of health care includes the measures and activities, for increasing the possibility of a favourable outcome and reduces the risk of adverse effects on health of the individual and the community, that are in line with the modern achievements of medical, dental and pharmaceutical science and practice, and modern achievements of science and practice that contributes to a higher level of quality provided by health care workers.
Quality health care provides resource managing in the most effective way to meet the users’ needs for prevention and treatment, in a safe manner, without unnecessary losses. Continuous quality improvement is achieving of a new level of quality better than the previous one.
Continuous quality improvement aims to reduce:
♦ Uneven quality of the health care services
♦ Unacceptable levels of variation in health care outcomes
♦ Inefficient use of health technology
♦ Waiting for medical procedures and interventions
♦ User dissatisfaction with the provided health care services
♦ Employees dissatisfaction
♦ The costs due to poor quality
Continuous quality improvement and safety of patients is an integral part of everyday activities of health care workers and other employees in the health care system. Continuous quality improvement is an on-going process aimed at achieving higher levels of efficiency and success in work, as well as greater user satisfaction and providers of health care services.