Question

healthcare quality:

Q: Distinguish between random and assignable variation. Discuss the relevance of each of these to measuring quality of care and to the design and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives Distinguish between random and assignable variation. Discuss the relevance of each of these to measuring quality of care and to the design and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives

Answer 1

•Variation is the difference between an observed event and a standard or norm.

•Random variation is a physical attribute of the event or process, adheres to the laws of probability, and cannot be traced to a root cause.

Assignable variation arises from a single or small set of causes that are not part of the event or process and can be traced and identified and then implemented or eliminated

These variations help in providing the following:-

1. a scientific basis for including or excluding each influencing factor and for determining when the factor is applicable and not applicable;

2.a clear definition and explanation of each factor suggested as a cause; and

3. an explanation of how the factor is operationalized, measured and integrated with other factors

These variations are quite important to find out the below mentioned:-

–Inadequate patient involvement in decision making

–Inequitable access to resources

–Poor communication

–Role confusion

–Misunderstanding and misapplication of clinical evidence

–Clinician uncertainty

–Economic incentives (“supply” hypothesis)