Qualität und Qualitätsmessung in der Pflege – Theoretische Grundlagen und methodische Zugänge

Abstract

Beschaffenheit des Leistungs-und Versorgungsgesche-hens (deskriptiver Ansatz), aber auch darüber, ob und inwieweit die an die Versorgung gestellten Qualitätsan-forderungen erfüllt werden (evaluativer Ansatz). Sie bedarf jedoch stets einer wissenschaftlichen Fundierung und sollte auf einem gleichermaßen professionell akzeptierten wie legitimierten Qualitätsverständnis aufbauen. This chapter introduces the concept and measurement of quality in nursing care. First, definitions and meanings of quality in health and nursing care as well as action-theoretical approaches are described by a theory-driven approach. Subsequently, the paper deals with principal theoretical and methodological aspects of quality measurement which are necessary to discuss the numerous approaches of defining quality. In principle , measurement of quality provides data and information about the nature of health care services (descrip-tive approach), and whether and to what extent predefined quality requirements concerning health and nursing care are met (evaluative approach). However, quality measures always must be science-based and wellfound-ed and, in the same manner, they must be based on a predefined concept of quality which is accepted and legitimised by the health and nursing care professionals.