Question of quality. Roads to assurance in medical care

Abstract

The essays in this publication focus on quality assurance. The introductory contribution discusses the term 'quality of care', changing views of quality, and responsibilities in quality control. Subsequent material deals with the general topics of the analysis of professional practice, administrative means, and the U.S. scene. Most of the essays are concerned with programs or studies undertaken in the United Kingdom. Among the specific topics addressed are patients with malignant hypertension in London; the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths; the Scottish Consultant Review of Inpatient Statistics; review of hospital resources and implications for clinical practice; Hospital Health Service Research Unit in Scotland; quality in general practice; quality control in pathological laboratories; the quality of surgical care; the Hospital Advisory Service; quality of care as it relates to regionalization and development in a region of England since the National Health Service was implemented; and the role of the autopsy.