Quality Systems and Performance Measurement

Quality Systems and Performance Measurement

Laboratory Medicine: A National Status Report

Quality generally refers to the level of performance or other attributes of interest that are achieved by a product or service. The performance of a product or service can be defined and assessed quantitatively or qualitatively against designated standards or goals, whether for conformance to certain technical standards or specifications or realizing customer satisfaction. Quality improvement programs and systems-based approaches to quality management can contribute to achieving and sustaining high levels of quality. As described by the IOM, quality in health care is the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.1 High-quality health care is: safe, effective, timely, patientcentered, efficient, and equitable.
Laboratory medicine contributes significantly to quality of care when tests and related services are clinically appropriate and provided in a technically competent manner with good communication. This chapter provides an overview of the status of systematic approaches to quality and performance measurement in laboratory medicine.