CHAP 2 (1)

Quality Assurance (QA)

All activities and programs in place to guarantee the excellence of patient care.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

A program implemented to enhance quality through constant monitoring and analysis of processes.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

The oldest and largest healthcare standards-setting body in the U.S., responsible for establishing operational standards for hospitals.

Sentinel Event (SE)

An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury.

Survey Analysis for Evaluating Risk (SAFERTM)

A tool by TJC to provide visual representations of survey results to help healthcare organizations prioritize corrective actions.

Quality Indicators

Measurable, well-defined, objective, and specific metrics used to monitor various aspects of patient care.

Threshold Value

A level of acceptable practice beyond which quality patient care cannot be assured.

Quality Control (QC)

Operational checks to ensure procedures are performed correctly.

Tort

A wrongful act against a person, property, or reputation, committed intentionally or without just cause.

Malpractice

Professional negligence that results in harm to a patient.

Informed Consent

Voluntary and competent permission given by a patient after being fully informed about the procedure.

Expressed Consent

Explicit permission from a patient, either verbally or in writing, for treatment or procedures.

Implied Consent

Consent inferred from a patient’s actions or the circumstances, often used in emergency situations.

Confidentiality

The duty to protect patient personal information from unauthorized disclosure.

Compliance

Conformity in fulfilling official requirements or standards.

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA ‘88)

Federal regulations that set quality standards for all laboratory testing.

National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs)

Goals established to improve patient safety and prevent sentinel events.

Risk Management

The process of identifying and minimizing risks to patients and employees.

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

A systematic method for evaluating processes to identify where and how they might fail.

Lean Methodology

An approach to process improvement that focuses on maximizing value by minimizing waste.

Six Sigma

A data-driven approach for eliminating defects in a process.

Root-Cause Analysis (RCA)

A method of problem-solving that identifies the root causes of faults or problems.

Legal Liability

The legal responsibility of an organization or individual for actions that cause harm to another.

Vicarious Liability

When an employer is held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees.

Breach of Confidentiality

Unauthorized disclosure of confidential patient information.

Negligence

Failure to take appropriate care leading to unintended harm.

Standard of Care

The level of care that a reasonably competent healthcare provider should provide.

Statute of Limitations

The time limit within which a legal claim must be filed.

Patient Preparation Procedures

Steps taken to ensure that a patient is ready for a medical test or procedure.

Specimen Collection Procedures

Protocols for obtaining samples from patients safely and accurately.

Patient Identification

Methods to accurately verify a patient’s identity prior to treatment.

Documentation

Chronological recording of all medical care provided, required by law.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Federal legislation safeguarding personal health information.

Accreditation

Certification by an authoritative body that an organization meets certain standards.

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

A nonprofit organization that develops standards for laboratory testing.

College of American Pathologists (CAP)

An organization that sets standards for laboratory services and quality.

Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP)

A tailored quality control approach based on a laboratory's specific needs.