Abstract
This article is based on the opening address that was delivered at a national conference with the launching of the South African Society for Quality in Health Care (SASQuaH). The quality improvement process and principles are analyzed, as well as an exposition of the South African situation. The concepts regarding quality, quality improvement and quality assurance are clarified, the different stakeholders in formalised quality improvement explained, as well as the motives for and principles of quality improvement in health services. The different external and internal mechanisms in quality improvement are analyzed, including the principle of community ownership and international collaboration. Continuous development and capacity building regarding quality improvement is recommended at all levels of health service delivery.
Highlights
A person's health is one of the most important assets - health care dehvery should be of the highest quality
Quality care is everybody's business - the health care consumer deserves quality care as the human life is at stake, and the funders of health care expect value for money, adding a cost-effective dimension to quality
The evaluation of health care is, a complex integrated process - the effectiveness of individuals as well as the effectiveness of the total health care delivery system need to be monitored and evaluated. If these results are to be made known to the various stakeholders, the evaluation system should be trustworthy, reflecting the reality of the quality of health care being delivered or rendered by that particular health care delivery system
Summary
A person's health is one of the most important assets - health care dehvery should be of the highest quality. Protocols and indicators serve as a basis for clinical health care delivery and interaction by the professionals, and refers to the systematic and critical analysis of the quality of clinical health care rendered, including the procedures used for the diagnosis and treatment, the use of resources and the resulting quality of life for the patient (Shaw, 1994) These guidelines, protocols and indicators could be developed both nationally and on a service-based manner. The setting of standards, monitoring and evaluation of performance and implementing remedial actions resulting in organisational transformation, are initiated and implemented by the staff o f the health care institution/service itself in a formalised and structured manner, complying with all the principles of trustworthiness.
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