LO13.03 Define quality and give the basic dilemma of trying to improve quality. Quality may be defined as degree of excellence or superiority of kind . A basic question is whether to strive to identify and eliminate poor quality care or to identify and strive for an optimal quality of care. LO13.04 Explain why client satisfaction and interpersonal relationships are important. Studies show that there is similarity between the viewpoints of patients and practitioners.
Patient satisfaction is an important component of quality of care.
LO13.05 Give some examples of care that may be excessive. Prospective payment and earlier discharges. Explain Donabedian s model of costs, benefits, and risks. LO13.07A Donabedian argues that the optimal quality point occurs where benefits minus risks is greatest. After a point, increased costs lead to smaller marginal benefits or greater marginal risks.