Define "quality improvement" in healthcare.

Quality improvement in healthcare refers to systematic efforts that aim to enhance the processes involved in patient care as well as the outcomes stemming from those processes. It involves a structured approach to evaluating and refining healthcare practices to ensure that patients receive safe, effective, and efficient care. This may include utilizing data collection and analysis to identify areas that require improvement, implementing evidence-based practices, and continuously monitoring outcomes to sustain and build on improvements.

This systematic approach contrasts with temporary changes, which may not involve comprehensive evaluation or long-term commitment to improvement, and is different from simply aiming to reduce costs or increase patient volume, which do not necessarily relate to the quality of care provided. In essence, quality improvement focuses on the intrinsic aspects of care delivery and patient outcomes rather than external factors such as cost and volume.