What does the term "quality assurance" entail in healthcare?

The concept of "quality assurance" in healthcare primarily refers to the systematic processes designed to ensure that various healthcare services and outcomes meet established standards of quality. This involves setting specific benchmarks and continuously monitoring and evaluating services to ensure they conform to these predetermined quality standards.

Quality assurance activities encompass various strategies, including auditing processes, clinical evaluations, and adherence to guidelines that aim to enhance patient safety and care. It is a proactive approach that not only seeks to maintain quality but also to improve services over time.

While minimizing healthcare costs, focusing on patient satisfaction, or increasing staff productivity can all be important elements within the broader scope of healthcare management, they do not fully encapsulate the essence of quality assurance. These factors are often considered as side benefits or supporting functions rather than the main focus of quality assurance, which is fundamentally centered on meeting and exceeding defined quality specifications.