Quality Assurance: Six Domains by AHRQ Approach and the Six Sigma

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Concept A- six domains by AHRQ approach
Quality insurance in healthcare is essential to promote and maintain quality improvement. Quality improvement initiatives can focus on different methods such as the six domains by AHRQ, plan-do act- and six sigma. The six domains by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) are safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equitability (O'Hanlon et al., 2017). Quality improvement initiatives targeting better patient experience should target the six domains. The quality measures are considered together with value as patient care outcomes should indicate whether there is quality performance. However, when evaluating the quality of care, data should be available. Tracking patient outcomes is helpful in quality improvement. There is increased focus on facilities prioritizing the six dimensions of quality to provide safer, efficient, and more effective health care to meet patient needs. Tracking the impact of quality improvement initiatives on the six dimensions is necessary to determine areas to improve to maintain better patient outcomes.
Concept B-Six Sigma 
The six sigma process improvement strategy was first adopted for the manufacturing industry but was over time incorporated in the service industry for various quality initiatives. The six sigma approach emphasizes eliminating defects using techniques and tools that add value to processes (Niñerola, Sánchez-Rebull & Hernández-Lara, 2020). Six sigma is applicable in operational efficiency. Six sigma is closely linked with lean management and emphasizes the continuous improvement of service and operations to achieve excellence. As part of process improvement, six sigma is aligned with the need to provide high-quality services at low costs, so there is value to patients. Improvement requires data and measurement, and using the six sigma approach, hospitals and other health facilities can adopt innovation initiatives to remain competitive and achieve cost efficiency. Six Sigma implementation should address quality and process performance where outcomes of care and process of care are useful indicators of the success of quality improvement.
Concepts/ Lessons Learned 
Healthcare administrators promote and champion quality improvement initiatives, and as leaders, they may be engaged in planning change to improve patient outcomes. In healthcare administration and as an administrator, quality improvement...