Quality assurance: a vital aspect of the clinician's role.

Abstract

Medical professionals are ethically obligated to document the quality of the care they provide for patients. Society's demands and patients' expectations make quality assurance an issue of concern to all health care providers. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has formulated a detailed process for monitoring clinical activities and evaluating quality. This report reviews the rationale for and recommended approach to monitoring and evaluating quality assurance.