US EXPERIENCES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN SWISS HEALTH-CARE SETTINGS

This report illustrates the first step of a research project at the In stitute of Business Research, University of Zurich, concerning quality improvement techniques in Swiss health care institutions, It endeavor s to provide a forecast of further research activities. Apart from the analysis provided by the most recent follow-up on the National Demons tration Project for Quality Improvement in Health Care (NDP), this als o shows the lessons learned from the perspective of the initial NDP pa rticipants, Additionally, the results are adapted for application to E uropean circumstances for quality improvement activities in health car e institutions, US experience shows that physician involvement along w ith a good database are key success factors for quality improvement, S trategically important processes must be selected early on for quality improvement projects, It is important to start with intensive trainin g of process leaders instead of a broad-based training. Furthermore, t he new Swiss law regarding quality assurance and its results are expla ined, The formation of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (N AQ) means that first-time Swiss health care providers, as well as heal th insurance-companies and cantonal representatives, are discussing qu ality measures and clinical standards on a national level. Copyright ( C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.