Health care does not have a well-developed vision of perfect care, but it does exist. By asking applicants to describe what it would take to achieve perfection, the Pursuing Perfection application seems to have ignited a new vision for many different types of health care organizations. It is hard for many to imagine perfect care in today's health care delivery system, but many applicants sent us a very good beginning. Focusing on key issues such as safety, care for people with chronic conditions, and core infrastructure improvements, most applicants have painted a picture of care that can produce the best possible outcomes and the greatest satisfaction for patients and providers in ways that reduce costs. While it may feel risky to set dramatic stretch goals in a grant proposal, many Pursuing Perfection applicant organizations did just that.
Senior leaders are very engaged.
Leaders are clearly willing to devote themselves to the pursuit of perfection as a business strategy, and as the right thing to do. Most proposals offer to have key projects led by senior managers, often CEOs. Many plan to devote at least half of their own effort to assuring that their organization changes not just a few processes, but the very infrastructure of their organization. This bodes very well for success, not just for these organizations, but also for the industry at large. There is an increased reliance on information.