uality, from the point of view of an asthma patient since the age of 8 months, and as a mother of two small little girls, is a vital function in any healthcare organization, which standards should always be met and excelled. It means the difference between walking away from a disease, symptom- free and in health; or developing a disability, or even death.Whether it is a visit to your local practitioner, a visit to your specialist, visiting a love one at the hospital, or being treated in the emergency room, they all have lives at stake.
Quality measures in healthcare organizations have the highest level of responsibilities to those they treat and those they see. Quality should be seen, not just perceived. What I mean by this, is that “quality” is not just seeing white coats around me, or achievements awards on the wall, or sassy new lobby, it means to receive an accurate diagnosis, and effective and efficient treatment to that diagnosis.
Quality means seeing the hospital spotless, germ free - or at least with the highest level of patient safety protocol which the facility implements and controls consistently.
Quality means innovative and necessary equipment which facilitate and speeds the diagnostic process.
Quality means that I don’t have to fear going to take my daughter for an annual visit, because measures are in place and followed to avoid leaving with my daughter infected.
Quality means being treated not like a “file” but as a human being that needs help from those that are the experts.
Quality is seeing a medical staff or an administrative staff go above and beyond their level of duty to insure that my needs and expectations are being met and exceeded so that I can heal and recover faster.
But most of all quality to me means commitment and trust. Commitment that those entrusted with my life or the lives of love one take pride on the service they provide - tells me the facts and facilitates ways to improve health vs. just prescribing pills.
-Emelie Bahamonde
