Guidance on developing quality and safety strategies with a health system approach
WHO Regional Office for Europe -
Available online as PDF file [63p.] at: http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E91317.pdf
“…Quality and safety have been recognized as key issues in establishing and delivering accessible, effective and responsive health systems. The regionally shaped guidance document covers the development of national quality and safety strategies suited to local circumstances (from formulation to continual review and renewal in successive phases)..
The five chapters :
1) explain how a quality strategy can contribute to meeting challenges faced by health services/ health systems;
2) set a common background for quality principles and perspectives (patient, professional, management quality);
3) consider five types of national strategies showing choices about legislation, measurement, action programmes and improvement policies.;
4) provide practical steps on how to develop a strategy for different situations, and
5) show how a quality and safety strategy strengthens health systems..
The brief glossary, the quality assessment tool and the framework for using dedicated research in decision making provided in the appendices, aim to assist in the process…”
Content:
Executive Summary
Why does a country need a quality and safety strategy?
What is quality and safety and how is it best developed?
Who are the key stakeholders in a health care system that a quality strategy should address and what are the key components
What is the best way to formulate and implement a strategy?
How does a quality and safety strategy strengthen a country’s health system and contribute to health
1. Why does a country need a quality and safety strategy?
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The challenge and the way forward
1.3 Why does a country need a quality policy and strategy
2. What is quality and safety and how is it best developed?
2.1 General principles of quality improvement – old and new
2.2 Perspectives and definitions of quality and safety
2.3 Three perspectives on quality and safety
2.4 Approaches to improving quality
3. Who are the key stakeholders a national strategy should address and what are the key elements of a quality and safety strategy?
3.1 National quality and safety strategies aimed at health care professionals
3.2 National quality and safety strategies aimed at health care organizations
3.3 National Quality and safety strategies aimed at medical products and technologies
3.4 National Quality and safety strategies aimed at patients
3.5 National Quality and safety strategies aimed at financers
4. What is the best way to formulate and implement a strategy?
4.1 What are the principles which guide strategy development?
4.2 Deciding priorities
4.3 Priorities and phases in quality development
4.4 When to renew or redirect a strategy
4.5 Successful strategy development
5. Conclusion
A quality and safety strategy strengthens a country’s health system
6. Appendices
6.1 Appendix 1: Glossary of health service and system quality definitions
6.2 Appendix 2: Quality Strategy Assessment Tool
6.3 Appendix 3: Using quality and safety research in decision making – a framework
7. Bibliography and additional references
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