Description

Write a 3-5 page paper in which you analyze why regulatory agencies began monitoring quality in health care, explain how regulatory agencies have impacted quality of care, and provide an evaluation of quality.

Introduction

Early attempts at quality efforts were limited to the resources, knowledge, and environment in which health care services and treatment were rendered. As medical education and research advanced so did the knowledge of and focus on quality improvement efforts. Basic functions including handwashing and sterile environments were two of the many simple advancements resulting in dramatic improvements in outcomes and overall quality.

Regulatory agencies have directly impacted health care organizations’ focus on, and attention to, quality improvement. Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission offers accreditation to various health care organizations who demonstrate compliance with established regulatory standards. Combined with various government agencies, initiatives have been implemented that require health care organizations to report on quality measures, thereby making their quality performance transparent throughout the industry.

As a leader in the health care industry, understanding historical perspectives of quality, regulatory oversight, and medical malpractice will allow you to effectively lead your organization to meet or exceed its strategic goals related to improved outcomes, increased reimbursements, and reduced cost.

Demonstration of Proficiency

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 2: Explain the development of health regulation and the evolution of medical malpractice.
    • Explain the evolution of medical malpractice.
    • Analyze the development of health regulation and regulatory agencies.
    • Analyze how regulatory agencies have impacted the quality of care.
    • Evaluate ways in which quality has improved or not improved since the 1800s.
  • Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others.
    • Produce writing that conveys understanding of the topic, its context, and its relevance.
    • Use academic writing conventions such as APA formatting and citation style, or others as required.
    • Produce writing that includes minimal grammar, usage, and mechanical errors, including spelling.

Instructions

For this assessment, you will write a 3–5 page paper in which you:

  • Explain the evolution of medical malpractice.
  • Analyze why regulatory agencies began monitoring quality in health care.
  • Explain how organizations like the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Joint Commission, and other regulatory agencies have impacted quality of care.
  • Explain what is meant by “deemed status.”
  • Describe how current attempts at quality compare to efforts on quality in the 1800s.
  • Evaluate ways in which quality has improved or not improved since the 1800s.

Organize your paper using the following headings (you are required to use these headings):

  • Title Page.
  • Introduction.
    • Preview the main themes of your paper.
  • Historical Review of Quality of Care.
    • Describe how current attempts at quality compare to efforts on quality in the 1800s.
    • Analyze why regulatory agencies began monitoring quality in health care.
    • Describe the history of medical malpractice, when it peaked, why it peaked, and what has been done to address medical malpractice.
      • The practice of defensive medicine
      • Discuss initiatives taken by health care organizations to reduce and/or mitigate risks
  • Regulatory Agencies.
    • Explain what is meant by “deemed status.”
    • Briefly describe the purpose and goals of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
    • Briefly describe the purpose and goals of The Joint Commission.
    • Explain how organizations like the AHRQ, The Joint Commission, and other regulatory agencies have impacted quality of care.
  • Improving Quality of Care by Understanding History.
  • Resources: Regulation in the U.S. Health Care System
  • PRINT
  • As you prepare for your assessment, consider the following:Analyze the impact of one significant historical event, law, or regulation that you feel had a great impact on the quality of care in the United States. Think about the following:
    • The historical dates of the event, or the creation or implementation of your topic choice.
    • Information regarding any sponsoring organizations, persons, special interest groups, or other participants that helped create the event, law, or regulation.
    • An analysis of the impact it had on quality of care.
    • Information on real or potential benefits in terms of patient outcomes, costs, and overall quality of care.
    • Do you see any implications for the future?
    • In addition, examine one of the following topics:
    • Medical malpractice.
    • Quality regulatory agencies.
    • Impact of regulation on cost.
    • Analyze how your chosen topic evolved and what you see as its impact on the overall quality of health care in the United States.Regulation in the U.S. Health Care System
      You may wish to review these optional resources to help you as you prepare for the assessment:
    • Hedrick, S., & Gingerich, B. S. (2006). The deemed status process. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 19(1), 69–71.
    • Young, K. M., & Kroth, P. J.(2018). Health care USA: Understanding its organization and delivery (9th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Available from the Bookstore.
      • Chapter 11, “Public Health and the Role of Government in Health Care,” pages 300–350.
      • Chapter 13, “Future of Health Care,” pages 370–392.
    • Malpractice
    • American Society for Healthcare Risk Management. (2010). A brief history of ASHRM: 1980–2010 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.ashrm.org/about/files/A_Brief_History_o…
    • Rahmati, M., Hyman, D. A., Black, B., & Silver, C. (2016). Insurance crisis or liability crisis? Medical malpractice claiming in Illinois, 1980–2010. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, 13(2), 183–204. 
    • Reisch, L. M., Carney, P. A., Oster, N. V., Weaver, D. L., & Nelson, H. D. (2015). Medical malpractice concerns and defensive medicine: A nationwide survey of breast pathologists. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 144(6), 916–922.
    • There are a lot of people already using APA 7 so this might be a helpful tool (even if you have not yet transitioned).  I keep a laminated copy right by my computer so I can check on anything that is confusing.  A few notes that are key points:1. APA 6 has the Running head: ALL CAPS on title page for header. APA 7 has only the page #.2. Neither version (ever) has the word Introduction as a heading. No matter what any directions may tell you, it is not correct APA in either version to use that word as a heading.3. For references of more than two authors, APA 7 uses only the first one and then et al., No period after et and no comma after the name of the first author.4.  APA 7 does not use the words Retrieved from or the Retrieved date in the references. Glance at the sample paper to see how this should look. Also, if it is a book, the place of publication is not needed.5.  Periods go on the outside of the parenthesis and not before them (Alles, 2021). 6. Don’t use first names or degrees in your references, and also don’t include any degrees such as PhD, MD, JD, MA, etc.