How do best practices contribute to quality and safety?

Evidence-based guidelines define best practices as the ideal way to deliver healthcare in a clinical setting. The best practices have a significant impact on the quality and safety of healthcare, as it has been proven that they improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, while reducing medical errors. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), best practices have been developed to prevent and manage clinical conditions, optimize the use of medications, and reduce healthcare-associated infections (AHRQ, 2014).

Safety and quality are two concepts that go hand in hand. The quality of healthcare is measured by the degree to which it meets the expectations and needs of patients, as well as other stakeholders. While safety refers to protecting patients against harm due to errors, infections or other adverse incidents. The best practices are those that provide clinicians the most accurate and reliable recommendations based on evidence for care. It helps reduce unnecessary variations in the care provided and makes sure that patients are receiving timely and appropriate interventions.

It is also important to note that best practices encourage consistency and standardization of care. This can reduce errors, improve the efficiency and cost, as well as minimize costs. Clinical practitioners who follow best practices are less inclined to depart from guidelines and protocols, which reduces the likelihood of negative outcomes. In addition, the best practices framework allows for continuous improvement in quality. This allows organizations to evaluate and monitor their performance and make changes as needed.

They are an important component in ensuring quality and security of healthcare. The best practices are important in improving patient outcomes and safety, as well as reducing medical mistakes, increasing patient satisfaction and encouraging consistency and standardization of healthcare delivery. To provide the best care to their patients, healthcare organizations and their clinicians must stay on top of current best practices.

References:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2014). Patient safety: best practices Retrieved From https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/reports/advances/best-practices.html