Wednesday, May 23, 2012

What Does Quality Mean to Me?



The presence of quality exists in many realms pertaining to health care. Individuals seeking medical treatment and services have a predetermined level of quality, or satisfaction, that they have come to expect and desire in the United States health care complex. The real perplexing dynamic facing health care organizations’ is that there is quality on so many levels from when an individual enters a facility, to when they exit. Quality factors of waiting (room) times, competence of doctors and staff, in/outpatient rooms, supplies, cleanliness, service or treatment, discharge, and more all contribute to an individual perceived level of quality.

                The health care quality definition is multidimensional and has a different meaning to every individual. A native New Yorker may be unsatisfied with the quality of health care received in California at the same time a Texan appreciates the very same level of quality. The entire health care quality experience is subjective. This being said, health care quality is the perceived level of overall satisfaction based on a combination of an individual’s entire experience of interactions, comforts, inconveniences, treatments, and progress of a medical situation from start to finish at any health care organization.

                The cost of health care in the United States is expensive and the medical capabilities available for a number of disorders are vast. There should be high levels of quality because of the cost many Americans pay for health insurance, or (worst case scenario) out-of-pocket. The health care organization administrator has a large responsibility to oversee the multiple staff departments that are contributors to quality, while at the same time maintaining the costs as close to (or below) the budget as possible. The quality “balancing act” in the United States pits overcharged patients versus underfunded health care organizations and at times, either entity may lose out in one way, shape, or form.

                Nationwide or regional industry health care quality standards are the closest technique to gauge or evaluate a particular health care organization’s customer, or patient, quality satisfaction. The most effective method to provide adequate and superior quality in the health care realm is to go above and beyond patient expectations while staying inside budget parameters.

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