Describe The Role Of Professional Health Care Organizations

Describe The Role That Professional Health Care Organizations And Soci

Describe the role that professional health care organizations and societies play in (1) monitoring quality care (2) disseminating preventative health care measures (3) the public's health care literacy? Select one of the three areas above and discuss established or proposed standards that assist in explaining the role of professional health care organizations and societies. - Use at least 2 APA references - Answer questions straight to the poi

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Professional health care organizations and societies are pivotal in shaping and maintaining high standards within healthcare systems. They serve as custodians of quality, educators on preventive health measures, and advocates for increased health literacy among the public. Their roles are multidimensional, contributing significantly to public health outcomes and the evolution of healthcare practices. This paper explores their functions, focusing specifically on monitoring quality care, with an overview of established standards that guide their efforts.

Role in Monitoring Quality of Care

One of the foundational roles of professional health care organizations is to monitor and ensure the quality of care delivered across healthcare settings. These organizations develop, implement, and oversee standards and guidelines that providers must follow to ensure optimal patient outcomes. For instance, the Joint Commission, a prominent accrediting body in the United States, establishes rigorous standards aimed at enhancing patient safety and quality of care (The Joint Commission, 2020). Accreditation processes involve comprehensive assessments of healthcare facilities, evaluating adherence to best practices and safety protocols, thereby fostering continuous improvement.

Furthermore, professional societies such as the American Medical Association (AMA) and specialty-specific organizations develop clinical practice guidelines based on current evidence. These guidelines serve as benchmarks for quality care and assist practitioners in delivering standardized and effective treatments (Grol & Grimshaw, 2003). They also promote accountability through performance measurement and reporting, encouraging healthcare providers to meet established standards and identify areas for improvement.

Quality monitoring by these organizations extends into patient safety initiatives, infection control efforts, and audits of treatment outcomes. Data from these activities are often used to inform policy, guide quality improvement projects, and inform public reporting systems that enable patients and payers to make informed choices about healthcare providers.

Support from Established Standards

Standards such as the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) by The Joint Commission exemplify structured frameworks that assist organizations in monitoring and improving care quality. The NPSGs set specific targets, including improving communication during patient transfers and reducing healthcare-associated infections. These standards are evidence-based and undergo regular updates to reflect the latest research and best practices (The Joint Commission, 2020).

Similarly, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed standards like ISO 9001, which, though broader in scope, inform healthcare organizations' quality management systems. Applying such standards ensures that organizations maintain systematic processes for quality assurance, risk management, and continuous improvement. These standards also facilitate benchmarking and comparison across institutions internationally.

In addition to accreditation and clinical guidelines, the integration of health informatics standards promotes quality care monitoring through electronic health records (EHRs) and data sharing protocols. These technological standards improve data accuracy, streamline reporting, and support real-time quality monitoring.

Conclusion

Professional health care organizations and societies are integral to ensuring high-quality care through stringent monitoring standards, guidelines, and accreditation processes. Their established standards, such as those from The Joint Commission and international bodies like ISO, underpin their efforts to enhance safety, consistency, and accountability within healthcare. Focusing on quality monitoring, these standards facilitate continuous improvement, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and safer healthcare environments.

References

Grol, R., & Grimshaw, J. (2003). From best evidence to best practice: effective implementation of change in patients' care. The Lancet, 362(9391), 1225-1230.

The Joint Commission. (2020). National Patient Safety Goals. https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/

World Health Organization. (2006). Standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care. WHO Press.

ISO. (2015). ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.

Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. National Academies Press.

Nolte, E., & McKee, M. (2008). Variations in amenable mortality—Laying the foundations for informed decision making. Health Policy, 86(3), 221-226.

Leape, L. L., & Berwick, D. M. (2005). Five years after To Err Is Human: what have we learned? JAMA, 293(3), 355-359.

Bryan, J. N., & McLaughlin, H. S. (2019). Enhancing healthcare quality through accreditation and standards. Journal of Healthcare Quality, 41(5), 227-234.