Question

Evaluate the role of regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies as drivers of quality in health care systems.

Answer 1

The healthcare system aims to deliver quality care, medical services and facility through safe, effective, equitable, cost effective and patient centred environment. The quality of care delivered by the healthcare system is measured through the results of the services provided or patient outcomes.

The main factors that affect quality of care are:

1. Patient and the family: patient satisfaction is of paramount importance in any healthcare. Protecting the patient’s right, treating them with dignity, providing effective and cost effective treatment, maintaining patient safety, ensuring confidentiality and clear communication are some of the ways of improving patient experiences and thus quality of care.

2 Government regulations : The federal and the state government has amended various rules, regulations and policies to overlook the work of healthcare departments. These rules and policies help ensure the standard level of quality care provided to the patient.  

2. State regulations : state regulations are formulated mainly by the department of health of the state. These regulations help maintain and sustain the quality of healthcare system. These help regulate the various processes in healthcare system ranging from delivery of care to billing. They monitor and control various programmes and procedures like public healthcare, immunization, treatment procedures and surgeries, medical research work, health education and awareness. These regulation also help to maintain patient safety and confidentiality. State regulations and law help protect the patient rights and ensure the treatment with dignity. They also help regulate the cost of healthcare services and thus help to serve pocket friendly and cost effective treatment. These regulations also control the medicaid and medicare activities and helps in easy reimbursement.

3. Accrediting organisation : These organisations provide accreditations to the healthcare organizations that meet the standards of quality of healthcare. The accrediting committee looks over the performance of healthcare and ensure its compliance. It helps maintain the standard of care and performance. It promotes excellence in quality of care as well as safe practices.