Definition of 5 Distinct Quality Terms That Are Often Confused That Should Not Be Used Interchangeably
Term | Definition |
Quality care | Care based on scientific, medical evidence that improves the health and life of the patient while also considering the patient’s preferences. |
QI | The formal process of examining and then improving the performance or enhancing patient care based on the analysis of data. |
QC | Procedures to ensure that equipment or processes adhere to established standards. |
Quality assessment | The evaluation of the quality of care. |
Quality assurance | The processes or programs intended to improve or assure the quality of patient care through evaluation or assessment. |