Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

A current emphasis within quality assurance (QA) is on the measurement of outcome. While QA pro grams have been quick to praise the benefits of out comes, it has not been clear to what extent outcome assessments have been incorporated into their activi ties and published papers. An analysis of QA reports published in 1987-1990 indicates that QA papers still commonly do not report quantitative immediate or long-term outcomes. Other features of published QA studies, including the types of interventions used to improve care, are also described. The lack of outcome information will continue to pose obstacles to evalu ating the effects of various types of interventions on improving the quality of patient care.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Donabedian A. Explorations in Quality Assessment and Monitoring, Vol. 1. The Definition of Quality and Approaches to its Assessment. Ann Arbor, MI, Health Administration Press, 1980.

Brook RH , Lohr KN. Efficacy, effectiveness, variations, and quality: Boundary-crossing research, in Graham NO (ed.), Quality Assurance in Hospitals. Rockville, MD, Aspen Publishers, 1990.

Wyszewianski L. The emphasis on measurement in quality assurance: reasons and implications. Inquiry 1988;25:424-433.

Lohr KN (ed.). Medicare: A Strategy for Quality Assurance, Volume 1. Washington , National Academy Press, 1990.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. The Joint Commission Guide to Quality Assurance. Chicago, JCAHO, 1988.

St. Louis Regional Learning Resources. Monitoring and Evaluation of Clinical Services. St. Louis , St. Louis Regional Learning Resources, 1990.

Haynes RB , Davis DA , McKibbon A. et al. A critical appraisal of the efficacy of continuing medical education . JAMA 1984;251:61-64.

A Review of the Literature on Quality Assurance Programs Reported Outcomes and Intervention Types

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References