(2) requires intelligent cooperation between consumers and practitioners.
(3) treats the individual as a whole, i.e., with a systems approach.
(4) implies a close and continuing personal relationship between provider and
patient.
(5) involves coordination of all types of health services-- medical, social
welfare work, and community health sciences.
(6) implies availability and efficient application of all necessary services of
modern scientific medicine to the need of the consumer population.
b. Scope. Quality of care is a comprehensive, all-inclusive concept that must not
be viewed from one perspective, but rather must be examined from the perspective of all
who are concerned - the governing body of the hospital, the administrator, the practitioners,
and the consumer.
c. Areas of Concern.
(1) High quality technical services. If a health care facility is to provide quality
medical care, it must have a well-qualified staff of technicians and professionals in the
laboratory, radiology, anesthesia, dietetic, and other services. An MTF must also have
effective and well-maintained equipment, adequate supplies and sufficient space to
provide services, and written policies and procedures to ensure consistent quality in its
technical services.
(2) Accessibility and availability of services. These are dual concerns in quality
health care. Availability has to do with whether services are offered or can be provided by
the medical treatment facility. Accessibility has to do with whether those services are
within easy reach of the consumer. Accessibility includes such elements as: waiting time
for appointments, transportation to the facility, costs of services, costs of transportation,
and hours of operation.
(3) Institutional efficiency. Another area of concern in quality health care is
institutional efficiency. This is measured by such elements as the use of resources,
personnel per occupied bed, length of stay, management planning activities, cost per unit
of output, occupancy rate, and employee dissatisfaction.
(4) Consumer satisfaction. An important gauge of quality of care is the
individual's satisfaction with the care he receives. This is measured through such
indicators as: personal relationship between the patient and staff, cost effectiveness,
perceived competency, physical environment, and interest of hospital personnel in his well
being.
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