background iran has a widespread diagnostics and clinical support services (dcss) network that plays a crucial role in providing diagnostic and clinical support services to both inpatient and outpatient care. however, very little is known on the application of quality assurance (qa) policies in dcss units. this study explores the extent of application of eleven qa strategies in dcss units withi...

abstract background: one of the most important challenges of iranian health care system is “quality of care,” and it is assumed that motivated nurses are more ready to provide better care. there are limited studies investigating iranian nurses’ motivations; however, factors which motivate them have not been studied yet. identifying the motivating factors enables nurse managers to inspire nurses...

background: considering the role of laboratory tests as a central part of controlling health expenditure, this study intends to investigate laboratory tests overutilization in iran to pave the way for future interventions.   methods: inappropriate laboratory utilization was reviewed in a cross-sectional survey through the retrospective analysis of 384 medical records at a tertiary center. to pa...

The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) recently published their Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP [https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/legislation/CLIA/Individualized_Quality_Control_Plan_IQCP.html]), which will be the only option for quality control (QC) starting in January 2016 if laboratories choose not to perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) [U.S....

To design potentially successful quality improvement (QI) interventions, it is crucial to make use of detailed breakdowns of the implementation processes of successful and unsuccessful interventions. Process evaluation can throw light on the mechanisms responsible for the result obtained in the intervention group. It enables researchers and implementers to (1) describe the intervention in detai...

In response to increasing concerns about quality, many countries are carrying out large scale programmes which include national quality strategies, hospital programmes, and quality accreditation, assessment and review processes. Increasing amounts of resources are being devoted to these interventions, but do they ensure or improve quality of care? There is little research evidence as to their e...