Table 3 Quality assurance vs continuous quality improvement adapted and reprinted from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA, “What is the difference between quality improvement and quality assurance?” 3/18/15
From: Continuous quality improvement in nephrology: a systematic review
Quality assurance | Continuous quality improvement | |
|---|---|---|
Motivation | Measuring compliance with standards | Continuously improving processes to meet standards |
Means | Inspection | Prevention |
Attitude | Required, defensive | Chosen, proactive |
Focus | Outliers: "bad apples" Individuals | Processes Systems |
Scope | Medical provider | Patient care |
Responsibility | Few | All |