International Accreditation Requires CQI: What is it and Why?
Hospitals and clinics are increasingly pursuing international accreditation, but independent bodies like Temos demand a foundational culture of Continuous Quality Improvement before evaluating clinical outcomes.
By Elizabeth Ziemba
President, Medical Tourism Training
Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University School of Law and Master’s in International Public Health from Boston University. Temos representative for the US and Latin America.Hospitals and clinics are increasingly interested in being accredited by international, independent bodies like Temos International. As a basic requirement for engaging in the accreditation process, Temos, like other accreditation organizations, expects the hospital or clinic to have a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) system in place. This article offers an overview of the role CQI plays in the accreditation process.
About CQI
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is a business philosophy. It does not follow the old adage of 'If it isn't broken, don't fix it'. Instead, CQI team members proactively search for improvements to efficiency and outcomes. The focus is on the prevention of business or system errors before they happen, rather than reactively fixing them after they occur.
CQI is also referred to as Total Quality Management, Quality Improvement, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and a variety of other labels. At its core, it is a scientific management method designed to identify wrinkles or gaps in business operations and to prevent problems in the delivery of healthcare services.
Essential CQI Principles
- Processes, Not People: CQI examines the organization’s system and its processes to maximize its business operations with the focus on outcomes. It looks at the root causes of errors and seeks system-wide solutions, rather than blaming individuals.
- Scientific Method: CQI uses a statistical, data-driven process to identify variations in service delivery. It employs serial experimentation—similar to trial and error—to measure business systems and adjust variables for the best clinical outcomes.
- Inclusive Teams: Cross-functional teams are drawn from various stakeholders including employees, management, board members, and customers. Quality improvement is the holistic responsibility of the whole team.
- Understanding Customers: 'Customers' are both internal and external—including employees, patients, and patients’ families. Fulfilling their distinct requirements is of paramount importance.
What is Needed for Successful Implementation?
Successful CQI and international accreditation demand substantial, unyielding commitment from hospital senior leadership and boards. Senior leaders must actively:
- Ensure adequate financial resources by identifying funds for training and purchasing innovative technologies.
- Facilitate and enable key players to have the needed time to be actively involved in change processes.
- Emphasize patient safety as an organizational priority, making it a key aspect of all strategic meetings and agendas.
With CQI systems firmly in place, healthcare providers position themselves to achieve improved clinical outcomes, increased patient confidence, and a sustainable competitive advantage in the global medical travel market.