Quality of Health Care : From Evidence to Implementation

The pursuit of quality has been a human endeavor since ancient times, which accelerated in the 20th Century in the industry through the vision and contributions of Shewart, Juran and Deming, who created the basis of disruptive innovations in science and technology, and contributed to the advance of industrial leadership in Japan. Quality became an essential component of industry, and has evolved with the emergence of new leaders like Feigenbaum, Crosby and Oakland. Garvin described that quality is measured from multiple perspectives, including manufacturers, payers and consumers. Albeit the practice of medicine has been considered an art beyond the scope of measurement or improvement, efforts to improve the quality of health care have also occurred. In the last three decades, a vibrant movement to improve the quality of health care has sprung up, under the leadership of the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia. This book delivers a comprehensive view, and an inviting approach to integrate its components and the challenges of measurement and innovative strategies of implementation, individual and social support.