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AHA 217 - Quality Improvement and Accreditation Process
As the health care delivery environment changes regulatory systems evolve to meet consumer mandates for objective measure of organizational performance, and the quality and effectiveness of health care services. Quality of care is more than a vague concept; it is how an institution and its care providers perform. Measuring performance requires managing both processes and outcomes, quantifying performance results and taking action to improve results.
This course presents a design for performance assessment and improvement planning, goals and objectives, essential elements and a cultural climate for change. It also presents a practical introduction to accreditation processes. The requirements of the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and other accrediting bodies are explored. Current accreditation trends and issues are also discussed.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Identify important elements of ongoing data collection.
- Describe essential steps in developing performance-based assessment programs.
- Discuss techniques for comparing institutional performance to external performance data.
- Relate JCAHO standards to institutional assessment and improvement initiatives.
- Assess the value and purpose of the accreditation process and JCAHO accreditation standards.
- Discuss current management concepts related to organizational performance measurement and improvement.
- Consider the role of health care data/information management and health care databases as mechanisms for organizational performance measurement.
- Review the development and focus of JCAHO’s “functional approach” to performance measurement and improvement in health care organizations.
- Explore current literature relevant to organizational performance improvement and accreditation issues.
3 hours each week or weekend format 3 credits