In the healthcare setting, what does the term 'quality assurance' primarily focus on?

The term 'quality assurance' in a healthcare setting primarily focuses on comparison with accepted standards. This process involves establishing a systematic approach to ensure that healthcare practices and outcomes meet specific, predefined standards of quality. By comparing actual practices and results against these benchmarks, healthcare facilities can identify areas that need improvement, ensure compliance with regulations, and maintain high standards of patient care.

Quality assurance encompasses setting measurable objectives, monitoring outcomes, and implementing processes that lead to continuous improvement. This approach is crucial for patient safety, effective treatments, and overall healthcare delivery. It ensures that healthcare services meet the expected quality levels, thus improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare systems. While employee satisfaction, cost management, and customer feedback can play roles in the broader context of healthcare quality, they do not define the core focus of quality assurance, which is about adherence to standards.