The other day I came across an article that was contemplating the idea that Joint Commission's related branch Joint Commission Resource's consulting services may be to closely related and very influential on its accreditation service. It stated that, because many of their guidelines are based on Joint Commission's program guidelines, that hospitals and other facilities that use JCR's consulting services are somewhat "cheating" to get accredited.

I feel that these facilities are very smart and have a marketing advantage, because they are using the services to reduce multi-drug resistant organism infection rates, improve patient safety and consumer confidence and ultimately lowers costs.. This consulting service uses guidelines set forth by a well know and most widely used accreditation service as well and the CDC and helps medical centers formulate and implement policies that will help them reach JC's goals and be up to standard, against those who may not use them. They will either be on level playing fields or outshine their competitors. The accreditation and consulting services are separate entities, but they play off each other. The consulting service uses only public information available to find clients who may benefit from their services and once these services have been performed, the facility will likely to easily renew or acquire accreditation. I personally would feel much more confident in my provider's capability and commitment to my health knowing they were going these extra yards to ensure my safety and that they are striving to be able to provide high quality service and care. I hope to hear that since it's introduction mid last year that this program is catching on and helping to light a fire in health care, because in the end both programs' aim is to provide high quality service and guarantee patient safety

Wild card!!!!!!!!

Just a few of my thoughts on health care quality today. I believe as a society we are jumping on the bandwagon and demanding the highest quality care we can receive at the lowest price possible. Yet, we aren't very willing to pay for the care. Everyone wants an instant fix, with the best outcome, but when the procedure costs an arm and a leg, we jump back and say "no"! Why is that? Why won't many Americans buy health insurance? BECAUSE THE PREMIUMS ARE TOO HIGH!!!! We feel as though we are healthy, haven't had the slightest inclination or need to visit the doctor in years, so we don't need it. Yes we do! If more people who are low-risk would purchase health plans, maybe, just maybe the premiums and cost of care would go down. You say well, what if I buy it, make my payments all year and use less than what I purchased? So what! It's better to be safe then sorry and maybe your insurance company will offer incentives, such as lower rates if you haven't used certain services during your year. You may not use the preventative care services offered in your plan, but what happens if you fall fatally ill on day? Insurance is purchased because of uncertainty; it creates a plan if the worse happens. You as well as your family are prepared to take care of life as you get better or receive treatment. It alleviates the financial bind you may fall into receiving medical care and often...tah-dah!...you have access to the best care you can afford. So in closing, I feel that we can't complain if we are willing to compromise. You have to give something to get something, so purchase insurance or some sort of health coverage and you will be able to get better care. Thank you.

Quality Guru Deming

W. Edwards Deming is known is the area as a "Guru". He came in a time when people were interested in turning statistical data about quality into practical use. His ideas were not taken into such a focal point until he travelled overseas to Japan and used their teamwork disciplines, simple tools and mass management and the statistical data he had to transform quality and its measures as we use them today. I chose Deming, because he used what he learned overseas here in western managment. He developed a system known as the fourteen points and also the seven deadly diseases, to impliment high quality standards into business today. Shortly before he passed he wrote The System of Profund Knowledge".

Deming's fourteen points were as followed:
1. Create constancy
2. Adopt a new philosophy
3. Cease dependeancy on inspection (do things right the first time)
4. End practice of awarding on price
5. Improve constantly
6. Institute on the job training
7. Institute leadership
8. Drive out fear
9. Drive out business barriers
10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations and work targets
11. Eliminating numerical quotas
12. Remove business barriers to employees
13. Institute learning
14. Continually transform jobs into careers
This will generate higher levels of productivity, dcrease costs and improve quality.

Deming's seven deadly diseases are those things that will be detrimental or decrease quality in a business, inclusing healthcare. They include:
1. Lack of constancy of purpose
2.Emphasis on short term profits
3. Evaluation of performance, merit rating and annual review
4. Mobility of management, job hopping
5. Management by use only of visible figures, with little or no consideration of figures that are
unknown or unknowable
6. Excessive medical costs
7. Excessive costs of liability

"The system of Profound Knowledge" is based on three concepts with four concentration areas. Management must understand that 1)There is no true meaning of anything, 2) experience teaches nothing and 3) management is prediction. The four areas that must be concentrated on are: Knowledge about variation, psychology, theory of knowledge and appreciation of a system.

What is Quality

Everyone has their own take on quality when it comes to healthcare. We all ultimately want the same outcome, but the means of getting to that outcome may vary. I personally think getting the best care at the lowest cost to me possible is a big factor in quality. If there are alternate methods that will heal or treat any condition I may have and they cost less than invasive procedures, I hope the medical professional will make me aware of that. I also like people friendly services. We have all encountered the person who seems to be quite over doing the work they are involved in; as it has become mundane and routine, losing all of emotion that may become entailed when caring for someone. My current doctor is great I would highly recommend him to any female looking for a gyno. My first meeting with him was actually to have a procedure done, but he sat and talked with me for twenty minutes and we came to an agreement to put off the procedure, which is quite invasive, for a few months, after he decided my condition at the time did not call for it. He asked me questions about me, my lifestyle, my past medical history and other things of his professional interest. At the same time, I was able to ask him questions and get thorough answers about things that concerned me. I have been back to the office for the follow-ups we discussed and he recognizes his patients and asks questions about their lives. He is the type of doctor, who wants his patients to be comfortable and know that they can come talk to him about concerns. His entire office is run smoothly in regards to nurses, MA's receptionists, etc. They are efficient and effective in the delivery of my care and I think that proves to be great quality.