Continuity of care has been regarded as being fundamental to primary care and has been linked to improve quality of care. In this editorial, I will explore the impact of continuity of care on the quality of care and the mechanism of how quality helps to sustain continuity; recommendations for policy makers in the health care system to improve quality by promoting continuity will be outlined at ...

As the United States enters a new era of value-based payment heavy in emphasis on primary care measurement, careful examination of selected measures and their potential impact on outcomes and vulnerable populations is essential. Applying a theoretical model of health care quality as a coding matrix, we used a directed content analysis approach to categorize individual Merit Based Incentive Paym...

background: health-care-associated infections are a major threat to the safety of patient care. control of such problem is a major criterion for hospital accreditation. this study was aimed to determine the developing use of chemical (class 6 products) and biological indicators in tabriz district hospitals since 1997 to 2011. methods: we conducted this time-trend interventional study with all o...

OBJECTIVES To identify the desirable characteristics of review criteria for quality improvement and to determine how they should be selected. BACKGROUND Review criteria are the elements against which quality of care is assessed in quality improvement. Use of inappropriate criteria may impair the effectiveness of quality improvement activities and resources may be wasted in activities that fai...

Nursing as a profession has the responsibility to society to protect and promote the health of individuals and communities. The intent of this conceptual model is to center the patient in his or her environment while allowing qualified, expert health professionals to provide timely, effective, cost-efficient care within their levels of competence and expertise. Significant shortages of register...

Strategies for assisting health workers to modify and improve skills: Developing quality health care-a process of change Developing quality health care

Background Disease epidemics and shortage of healthcare professionals present major challenges for developing countries in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), specifically the health related goals (4, 5 and 6). In these countries, the explosive growth of mobile communications offers a new opportunity for the promotion of quality healthcare. There is a growing body of evidence tha...

Physicians are often asked to assume leadership roles in their practices, hospitals, and academic departments. These positions can be excellent leverage points for improvement of health care quality. To make optimal use of these opportunities, physicians must learn how to lead. This paper is intended to be a primer for physicians who are asked to lead and want to learn how to lead well. A body ...