Mission and Focus

As more information about the structure, process and outcomes of health care have emerged and the science of quality is expanding, quality improvement is emerging as a distinct area of expertise. Multiple reports from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) cite staggering costs, both human and fiscal, related to the underuse, overuse and misuse of health care services. Driven by such evidence, payers – and therefore health care institutions – are more invested in quality and patient safety than ever before. Payment for health care is now often linked to quality, which means that institutions must have processes, systems and qualified people in place to measure and monitor health care outcomes. Hospitals (6000), nursing homes (16,000), group practices and health plans all have staff dedicated to monitoring and improving quality. In addition, accreditation requirements for health care entities include having quality programs in place.

The proposed program was developed to meet an emerging demand for quality and patient safety specialists who have the capacity and competence to grow and sustain a culture of continuous improvement at all levels and within all sectors of the health care delivery system. Graduates will be prepared to lead the design, development, implementation and evaluation of health care quality and patient safety initiatives; and will have the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in quality and patient safety leadership, management and research positions within health care organizations or policy agencies.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

• Lead organizational change toward the development of a quality and safety culture in varied health care settings.
• Translate national benchmarks and expectations for health care quality and patient safety into strategic goals, plans, policies and operations. 
• Design, develop, implement, evaluate and troubleshoot health care quality and patient safety improvement initiatives.
• Design, conduct and critique research related to health care quality and patient safety; and use research findings to drive operational and clinical decision-making.