Quality control methods at a hospital
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 12 January 2010
Abstract
Purpose
Healthcare providers need the information contained in patient records to provide high‐quality services. To be effective, patient record assembly must be completed in a timely manner. This study aims to analyse the medical records assembly process for a hospital in Southeastern United States having difficulty meeting standard completion times established by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization.
Design/methodology/approach
Several quality improvement tools were used to evaluate and improve the assembly process.
Findings
As a result of the study, a new procedure was implemented. Consequently, the hospital reduced the time required to assemble medical records, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness. There are hopes to further improve the process.
Research limitations/implications
The study provides guidance on how statistical process control techniques can be applied to improve hospital services. The techniques employed can be used to analyze and improve any process. However, results are limited to improving medical record assembly processes at one particular hospital.
Originality/value
Past studies considered the application of various statistical process control techniques for improving healthcare quality. The study extends research by employing process improvement efforts to understand and develop medical record assembly in a regional hospital via process flow diagramming and control charts.
Keywords
Citation
Canel, C., Mahar, S., Rosen, D. and Taylor, J. (2010), "Quality control methods at a hospital", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 59-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861011010686
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited