International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance · 1999 · 65 citations · 1 references
ManagementHealth Care ManagementQuality ManagementHealth Care Quality ManagementHealthcare Quality ImprovementQuality ImprovementHealth Care QualityHealthcare Quality ManagementQuality Management SystemsQuality MeasurementQuality Of CareQuality StandardsCare Quality MeasurementDonabedian ModelHealth Care Quality MeasurementHealthcare Quality AssessmentHealthcare Quality MeasurementQuality Of Care AssessmentQuality Of Care EvaluationStructure-process-outcome Model
Quality improvement in healthcare employs various approaches, including Donabedian’s structure‑process‑outcome framework and standards such as ISO and EFQM, the latter of which has been adopted and adapted by the Dutch Institute for Quality Management. The article aims to describe the background and progress of applying the EFQM business excellence model in Dutch health‑care organizations. The authors detail the procedures for applying to the European Quality Award and the Dutch Quality Award. The article highlights the European ExPeRT research group’s promotion of quality models in healthcare.
Different approaches to improve quality are used in organizations delivering health care. Donabedian introduced structure, process and outcome, from which other approaches like self-assessment, accreditation, visitation, International Standards Organisation (ISO) and European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) can be aligned. The EFQM model is one such approach that has been adopted and adapted by the Dutch Institute for Quality Management. This article describes the background and progress relating to the use of the EFQM business excellence model within Dutch health care organizations. In addition the process for applying for the European Quality Award and the Dutch Quality Award are described in detail. Finally, the reader is enlightened regarding the work of the European ExPeRT research group who are promoting the use of quality models within health care.
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