Introduction
The improvement of healthcare in the United States is a priority for the government. It defines the creation of initiatives intended to measure the quality of medical services for further development of the industry (Burstin et al., 2016). Moreover, present-day programs aim to eliminate issues emerging in the healthcare system, such as complexity, lack of alignment, and fragmentation (Burstin et al., 2016). In order to trace the progress made in this sphere, it is vital to consider various circumstances. They include the movement’s evolution, elements of successful initiatives related to healthcare quality improvement, and details of strategic plans implemented by medical institutions. The evaluation of the specified components will allow defining the overall success of the government’s efforts.
The Evolution of the U.S. Healthcare Quality Movement
The development of the U.S. healthcare quality movement started with attempts to control patients’ outcomes through the provided medical services. The pioneers of these initiatives were Florence Nightingale and Ernest Codman, who contributed to the creation of techniques allowing them to gather hospital data (Burstin et al., 2016). Since that time, such efforts have been complemented by the establishment of the National Quality Forum focused on setting standards for healthcare services (Burstin et al., 2016). Another achievement was the introduction of the National Quality Strategy (NQS), presenting a list of improvements in the area intended to provide better and more affordable care for U.S. citizens (Burstin et al., 2016). All the initiatives mentioned above comprise the healthcare quality program in its present state.
Elements of Successful Healthcare Quality Improvements Efforts
The successful implementation of plans aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services provided by public facilities depends on the consideration of specific elements. They are related to the context of such programs and contribute to a better overall outcome. The principal element is the organizational culture that influences all the processes of a specific healthcare facility and combines several characteristics (Coles et al., 2020). They relate to human resource management, hospital conditions, policies, development strategies, and shared vision (Coles et al., 2020). Another essential element is a facility’s stakeholders providing a comprehensive picture of the issues that should be resolved, and they include all types of employees and patients (Coles et al., 2020). Thus, the consideration of people involved in the work of hospitals and their organizational culture promote improvements in the area.
Elements of a Good Strategic Plan and New Programs
However, the practical implementation of the healthcare initiative in a single facility requires more specific steps that should be included in its strategic plan. Such a plan also contains elements that are vital for its successful implementation. The most crucial element is the reduction in the cost of quality care for individuals, families, and employers (“National strategy,” 2016). Another element of a good strategic plan is work with communities intended to promote a healthy lifestyle (“National strategy,” 2016). New development programs based on these elements will align with both the strategic plan and operations of a facility as well as with similar federal initiatives.
Conclusion
The government’s attempts to improve the quality of healthcare services provided by medical facilities depend on the inclusion of various elements. They build on the previous experience of specialists, which formed the basis for the current program and highlighted the importance of measurements. The successful implementation of this program is conditional upon the inclusion of such elements as organizational structure and stakeholders. As for its use by healthcare facilities, it should align with their strategic plans containing initiatives aimed at making high-quality services affordable to the population.
References
Burstin, H., Leatherman, S., & Goldmann, D. (2016). The evolution of healthcare quality measurement in the United States. Journal of Internal Medicine, 279(2), 154-159.
Coles, E., Anderson, J., Maxwell, M., Harris, F. M., Gray, N. M., Milner, G., & MacGillivray, S. (2020). The influence of contextual factors on healthcare quality improvement initiatives: A realist review. Systematic Reviews, 9, 1-22. Web.
National strategy for quality improvement in health care (continued). (2016). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Web.