R. S. Downie and K. C. Calman
- Published in print:
- 1994
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780192624086
- eISBN:
- 9780191723728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780192624086.003.0020
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Quality in the delivery of health care has both a quantitative (measurable) and a qualitative (assessable) aspect. The meeting of targets is only one aspect of quality delivery. Other aspects include ...
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Quality in the delivery of health care has both a quantitative (measurable) and a qualitative (assessable) aspect. The meeting of targets is only one aspect of quality delivery. Other aspects include technical skill and competence; professional standards, including ethical issues, attitudes, behaviour, and communication skills; managerial functions, including the ability to work within resources, teaching, audit, and research.Less
Quality in the delivery of health care has both a quantitative (measurable) and a qualitative (assessable) aspect. The meeting of targets is only one aspect of quality delivery. Other aspects include technical skill and competence; professional standards, including ethical issues, attitudes, behaviour, and communication skills; managerial functions, including the ability to work within resources, teaching, audit, and research.
David Hunter
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199558612
- eISBN:
- 9780191595011
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199558612.003.0012
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
A clinical audit can be defined as a quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of ...
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A clinical audit can be defined as a quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of change. Clinical audits are central to effective clinical governance as a measure of clinical effectiveness. This chapter discusses the history of clinical audits, components of clinical audit, and the steps in performing an audit project.Less
A clinical audit can be defined as a quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of change. Clinical audits are central to effective clinical governance as a measure of clinical effectiveness. This chapter discusses the history of clinical audits, components of clinical audit, and the steps in performing an audit project.
Monica Shaw
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198569008
- eISBN:
- 9780191717499
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198569008.003.08
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter focuses on the evolving and volatile UK National Health Service (NHS) regulatory and governance frameworks, and considers their impact upon healthcare organization and clinical practice. ...
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This chapter focuses on the evolving and volatile UK National Health Service (NHS) regulatory and governance frameworks, and considers their impact upon healthcare organization and clinical practice. It reviews the inquiry culture that has influenced government policies on accountability and transparency in health care delivery, and critically assesses the central place accorded to clinical governance. The rise and function of audit and risk management, and the escalatory relationship between risk and regulation, are explored. The paradox that regulatory failures engender tighter controls which, in turn, generate further regulatory failures, is illustrated by reference to several case studies, including that of the death of ‘Baby Peter’, and its aftermath. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the limitations of regulatory control, highlighting the potential for constant review and reform to exacerbate gaps between policy and practice.Less
This chapter focuses on the evolving and volatile UK National Health Service (NHS) regulatory and governance frameworks, and considers their impact upon healthcare organization and clinical practice. It reviews the inquiry culture that has influenced government policies on accountability and transparency in health care delivery, and critically assesses the central place accorded to clinical governance. The rise and function of audit and risk management, and the escalatory relationship between risk and regulation, are explored. The paradox that regulatory failures engender tighter controls which, in turn, generate further regulatory failures, is illustrated by reference to several case studies, including that of the death of ‘Baby Peter’, and its aftermath. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the limitations of regulatory control, highlighting the potential for constant review and reform to exacerbate gaps between policy and practice.
R. S. Downie and K. C. Calman
- Published in print:
- 1994
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780192624086
- eISBN:
- 9780191723728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780192624086.003.0018
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Economics and morality are closely linked since resources going to one patient cannot go to another. Inequalities in health care can therefore arise. There are various economic issues in health care, ...
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Economics and morality are closely linked since resources going to one patient cannot go to another. Inequalities in health care can therefore arise. There are various economic issues in health care, such as measuring outcomes (including the use of QALYs), audit, the private sector versus the public sector, clinical freedom, and public involvement in the allocation of resources.Less
Economics and morality are closely linked since resources going to one patient cannot go to another. Inequalities in health care can therefore arise. There are various economic issues in health care, such as measuring outcomes (including the use of QALYs), audit, the private sector versus the public sector, clinical freedom, and public involvement in the allocation of resources.
R. S. Downie and K. C. Calman
- Published in print:
- 1994
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780192624086
- eISBN:
- 9780191723728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780192624086.003.0019
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Research and audit must be distinguished. Some research involves animal experimentation which is controversial. Research often involves clinical trials, and various forms of trial must be ...
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Research and audit must be distinguished. Some research involves animal experimentation which is controversial. Research often involves clinical trials, and various forms of trial must be distinguished. Consent must be given by human subjects involved in research. This chapter discusses the role of ethical committees, and the pressure to publish in order to progress in the profession.Less
Research and audit must be distinguished. Some research involves animal experimentation which is controversial. Research often involves clinical trials, and various forms of trial must be distinguished. Consent must be given by human subjects involved in research. This chapter discusses the role of ethical committees, and the pressure to publish in order to progress in the profession.
Edmund Jessop
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198837206
- eISBN:
- 9780191873966
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198837206.003.0011
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health
Any jurisdiction needs to assess whether its healthcare system is performing well. There are many dimensions of evaluation, but a basic set includes saving life, relief of suffering, and treating ...
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Any jurisdiction needs to assess whether its healthcare system is performing well. There are many dimensions of evaluation, but a basic set includes saving life, relief of suffering, and treating patients with dignity: these may be monitored by statistics of mortality, quality of life, and patient experience. Sets of indicators can give a system-wide overview, and aspects of individual services can be evaluated by clinical audit. Confidential enquiries are useful for rare, serious events. Investigation may need to be followed by action, but the decision to act is never simple. New health systems can be evaluated by the standard research designs, but qualitative investigation is important.Less
Any jurisdiction needs to assess whether its healthcare system is performing well. There are many dimensions of evaluation, but a basic set includes saving life, relief of suffering, and treating patients with dignity: these may be monitored by statistics of mortality, quality of life, and patient experience. Sets of indicators can give a system-wide overview, and aspects of individual services can be evaluated by clinical audit. Confidential enquiries are useful for rare, serious events. Investigation may need to be followed by action, but the decision to act is never simple. New health systems can be evaluated by the standard research designs, but qualitative investigation is important.
Julie Sin
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- January 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780198840732
- eISBN:
- 9780191876400
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198840732.003.0013
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health
This chapter looks at the topic of health services quality from a commissioning and whole population perspective. Quality is noted to be a multidimensional concept and dimensions of quality are ...
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This chapter looks at the topic of health services quality from a commissioning and whole population perspective. Quality is noted to be a multidimensional concept and dimensions of quality are considered. The role of the commissioner in maintaining and improving quality of services is explored, and this is seen within a wider backdrop of a health system with commissioner and provider functions (if there are such distinctions in the system). Commissioners need to know whether they are securing quality care for their population for the money spent. They also need an understanding of how this dovetails with the provider perspective on this topic. Commissioners also need to be able to articulate what they wish to assess in practice under the guise of quality. Finally, at a system level there are also bearings on how to compile and interpret a picture of a population’s health if needed.Less
This chapter looks at the topic of health services quality from a commissioning and whole population perspective. Quality is noted to be a multidimensional concept and dimensions of quality are considered. The role of the commissioner in maintaining and improving quality of services is explored, and this is seen within a wider backdrop of a health system with commissioner and provider functions (if there are such distinctions in the system). Commissioners need to know whether they are securing quality care for their population for the money spent. They also need an understanding of how this dovetails with the provider perspective on this topic. Commissioners also need to be able to articulate what they wish to assess in practice under the guise of quality. Finally, at a system level there are also bearings on how to compile and interpret a picture of a population’s health if needed.