What is Quality Assurance in healthcare?

Quality Assurance in healthcare refers to a systematic process aimed at evaluating and maintaining the quality of care provided to patients. It involves assessing healthcare services against predefined standards and criteria to ensure that specific levels of quality are met consistently. This process includes monitoring and evaluating various aspects of care delivery, such as treatment outcomes, patient safety, and adherence to clinical guidelines. By using established standards, healthcare organizations can identify areas for improvement, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

This systematic approach is essential for maintaining high standards of care, improving patient satisfaction, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. Other options such as billing review, legal protection, or cost reduction do not encompass the comprehensive and systematic evaluation focus that characterizes Quality Assurance. These factors may interact with quality but are not the core purpose of Quality Assurance itself.