Quality Circles in Health Care, Research Paper Example

Healthcare environments represent a challenge to leaders and clinicians alike due to the necessity to achieve consistency in the quality of care that is provided to all patients. To accomplish these tasks, quality circles have been considered as a feasible alternative to promote peer collaborations, teamwork, and knowledge sharing to optimize quality of care in all healthcare settings (Innovations, 2013). For example, peer quality circles play a role in engaging peers to achieve mutually satisfying outcomes to improve the quality of care that is given to patients (Innovations, 2013). This process includes an action plan and strategy to identify and address common problems that may arise in the workplace that impact quality of care (Innovations, 2013). Furthermore, cross learning circles join different peer groups together to identify commonalities of care and treatment for patients to increase cohesiveness and efficiency (Innovations, 2013).

Healthcare quality is also preserved using quality control circles in such areas as drug safety so that the lives of patients are not compromised in prescribing drugs and taking the proper dosages (Hu, 2011). Quality control circles (QCCs) initiate a series of actions with healthcare team members to inspire teams to take appropriate action, to share ideas, and to create mutually beneficial relationships (Hu, 2011). Clinical staff members must be prepared to work as a collective unit to improve patient outcomes and to promote efficiency while reducing medication errors for these patients (Hu, 2011). Quality control circles are designed to initiate successful conversations regarding the development of new programs, processes, and efficiencies that will lead to positive results for patients and for employees (Hu, 2011). These efforts are effective contributors in renewing the spirit of the organization and its healthcare-driven agenda to improve the quality of care that is provided at all times (Hu, 2011).

In healthcare environments, the utilization of feedback loops are a useful tool in optimizing healthcare teams to achieve a series of objectives (Institute of Medicine, 2012). There is a significant learning curve in all areas of healthcare practice; therefore, it is important to address any gaps in knowledge that exist and connect different segments together to achieve common goals (Institute of Medicine, 2012). The use of a feedback loop is an effective tool in supporting the team and in enabling continuous improvement strategies and other techniques to influence the overall direction of the organization (Institute of Medicine, 2012). Feedback loops enable team members to better coordinate with each other to achieve effective information sharing at all times (Institute of Medicine, 2012). Under these circumstances a healthcare organization will also operate in developing a process that will facilitate effective growth for the team on a personal and professional level (Institute of Medicine, 2012).

Feedback loops and quality circles provide significant support in establishing successful approaches to team-based collaborations, exercises, and other factors that support the success of the team dynamic. These individuals also represent an opportunity to explore the different dimensions of care and treatment that clinicians provide to improve the lives of patients through improved quality-based initiatives. The perspectives associated with feedback loops and quality circles encourage individuals to provide feedback and perhaps make recommendations that will facilitate successful growth for the team. It is imperative to develop a quality-based initiative that will lead to enhanced communication and potential recommendations for growth and change that will lead to positive outcomes and stronger collaborative relationships amongst employees. These elements enable feedback loops and quality circles to act as effective indicators of success and long-term growth for the healthcare team to optimize quality in all areas of patient care and treatment.

References

Hu, T.C. (2011). Quality improvement: reducing real-time inventory errors through quality control circles. African Journal of Business Management, 5(26), 10657-10666.

Innovations for Maternal, Newborn, & Child Health (2013). Quality circles for healthcare improvement. Retrieved from http://innovationsformnch.org/uploads/publications/2011_FINAL_Project_Profile_-_Quality_Circles_Sierra_Leone.pdf

Institute of Medicine (2012). Best care at lower cost: learning health care in America. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2012/Best-Care/BestCareReportBrief.pdf