Healthcare quality can be a daunting subject, with its maze of regulatory requirements and plethora of approaches. Introduction to Healthcare Quality Management makes the topic approachable. It explains the fundamental principles and techniques of quality management in sufficient depth for readers to begin applying them, at an introductory level that does not overwhelm them. This updated fourth edition includes a new chapter that addresses the problem of stalled or failed improvement projects. Many case examples are included in the chapter to illustrate common causes of project failures together with guidance for achieving success. It also discusses how measurement systems can reinforce and sustain performance improvement. The sidebars, definitions, and references sprinkled throughout the chapters have been updated and expanded. Concise summaries and relatable examples from clinical, operational, and administrative settings have also been included. This updated edition of Introduction to Healthcare Quality Management is an invaluable resource that helps readers understand and apply the many complex elements of quality management in healthcare.

Patrice L. Spath, MA, RHIT, is a health information management professional with broad experience in healthcare quality and safety improvement. She is president of Brown-Spath & Associates, a healthcare publishing and training company in Forest Grove, Oregon. She is currently an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an adjunct professor in the College of Health Professions at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, and a guest lecturer at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Kenneth A. DeVane, MBA, MS, is an improvement science professional with an undergraduate degree in engineering, an MBA, and a master’s degree in management science. He began learning performance improvement philosophy, approaches, and tools working in the aerospace and advanced materials industries. DeVane has over twenty years of experience successfully applying these methods in healthcare while leading, facilitating, coaching, and supporting clinical, operations and administrative projects, from strategic initiatives to coaching frontline staff.

Chapter 1: Focus on Quality Chapter 2: Quality Management Building Blocks Chapter 3: Measuring Performance Chapter 4: Evaluating Performance Chapter 5: Continuous Improvement Chapter 6: Performance Improvement Tools Chapter 7: Improvement Project Teams Chapter 8: Improving Patient Safety Chapter 9: Achieving Reliable Quality and Safety Chapter 10: Managing the Use of Healthcare Resources Chapter 11: Managing Quality in Population Health Care Chapter 12: Achieving Sustainable Performance Chapter 13: Organizing for Quality