English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
Esperanto
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
UrduThe new standards “provided a critical first step toward establishing standards for accrediting HQS programs in North America, and defined the field of HQS,” according to the article by members of the HQS Accreditation Standards Committee. The lead author is Willie H. Oglesby, PhD, MBA, MSPH, FACHE, of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.
Development of content and domains for HQS program accreditation
Healthcare quality and safety professionals play a leading role in directing quality improvement and patient safety programs. Professionals working in HQS have historically come from a range of disciplines, such as nursing, business, health informatics, health administration, and public health. It is increasingly recognized that graduate programs in these diverse fields do not focus on the domains and skills specific to HQS. The new standards define the key content and processes for accreditation of the growing number of graduate programs in HQS.
The development process arose out of initial discussions in 2016 by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), along with faculty at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Those discussions led to agreement on a set of organizing principles for an approach to accrediting graduate programs in HQS. Commitment and funding were provided by CAHME and 12 Founding Member institutions. The National Association for Healthcare Quality provided help with logistical support and engagement with the HQS community.
A committee structure was formed to develop overall criteria for accreditation and specific content domains for the “inextricably linked” fields of healthcare quality and patient safety. A set of competency statements was developed for 13 HQS content domains, including four “foundational” domains: safety and error science, improvement science and quality principles, evidence-based practice, and measurement and process improvement.
The report in AJMQ presents a table summarizing each of the 13 content domains, including descriptions, sample competencies, and examples of knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to each domain. “While all the domains must be included in the curricula, programs are encouraged to individualize their curricula based on mission, student needs, and other factors,” Dr. Oglesby and colleagues write.
The proposed standards were adopted by the CAHME in 2019. Processes and criteria for documentation were established; accreditation periods will generally last seven years for established programs and three years for new programs. Programs at nine of the 12 Founding Member institutions are currently candidates, with the first programs expected to be accredited in 2022–23.
The standards are an important milestone for HQS as a professional discipline, with benefits including support for each accredited program’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. The authors add, “Accreditation also provides a framework for teaching and training excellence that supports culture change for healthcare systems” – a critical goal in ensuring that quality and safety are valued.
Accredited academic programs will play a key role in guiding the ongoing development of HQS as a professional discipline. Dr. Oglesby and coauthors conclude: “Since the HQS field is rapidly evolving and as employment and professional engagement matures, the content domains and other elements of program accreditation will change to reflect current professional practice.”
Click here to read “Accrediting Graduate Programs in Healthcare Quality and Safety“
DOI: 10.1097/JMQ.0000000000000021
###
About American Journal of Medical Quality
Published bimonthly, AJMQ features original, peer-reviewed articles by noted experts in the field and is frequently cited as a literature source in medicine. AJMQ is focused on keeping readers informed of the latest innovative resources, processes, and perspectives contributing to the continuous improvement of quality health care services. This peer-reviewed journal presents an international forum for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and methods in improving the delivery and management of health care.
About the American College of Medical Quality
ACMQ is the organization for health care professionals responsible for providing leadership in quality and safety outcomes, who seek the tools, experience, expertise, and expert network necessary to improve the quality and safety of patient care. As an important membership benefit, ACMQ provides you full access to AJMQ in print and online through a gateway to resources, programs, professional development opportunities, and a greater recognition of quality issues by the entire health care field.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services.
Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of €4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.
Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth.
For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
