Assessing the Quality of Healthcare Practice: A Risk-Based Approach
- 1OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR HEALTH
Abstract
BackgroundThis research article explores a novel framework for assessing the Quality of Healthcare based on principles of Clinical Risk Management, including the development of a theoretical construct for the quality of healthcare services based on stakeholder needs, and a conceptual model for managing risks at an institutional level.
MethodologyThe study consisted of a cross-sectional secondary assessment of healthcare service and system-level indicators, guided by a structured decision tree based on face, construct, content, and criterion validity. Established performance measures identified from international benchmarking and institutional quality improvement frameworks were classified and validated for assessment of clinical risks according to indicator type.
ResultsA total of 233 performance indicators were evaluated, of which 200 (86%) consisted of measures for assessing failures in clinical practice. According to the proposed framework, (30%) and (14%) of indicators met the criteria for assessing risks associated with clinical processes and organizational systems design respectively.
ConclusionMore targeted use of indicators is required in order to achieve a greater degree of accuracy and actionability of performance assessment measures in healthcare practice. The proposed framework offers an applied method to enhance the specificity of quality indicators and direct efforts to improve systems design and decision-making capability.
Related
- Professional practice environment and advanced nursing interventions associated with nurse-perceived quality of healthcare delivery in selected rural facilities in Saudi Arabia: a multisite cross-sectional correlational study
- Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours toward evidence-based practice among healthcare professionals in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study
- Association between knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding family doctor contract services and perceived healthcare barriers among contracted residents: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China
- Knowledge, attitude and practice on continuous glucose monitoring and self-monitoring of blood glucose among healthcare professionals across India: A cross-sectional study
- Assessing fertility-related quality of life and psychological distress among infertile women: A cross-sectional study
BibTeX
@misc{despott2026assessing,
title = {{Assessing the Quality of Healthcare Practice: A Risk-Based Approach}},
author = {R. A. Despott and N. Delicata and C. Mallia and P. V. Bonanno},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.64898/2026.09.11.26361528},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.11.26361528v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Assessing the Quality of Healthcare Practice: A Risk-Based Approach
AU - R. A. Despott
AU - N. Delicata
AU - C. Mallia
AU - P. V. Bonanno
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.09.11.26361528
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.11.26361528v1
AB - BackgroundThis research article explores a novel framework for assessing the Quality of Healthcare based on principles of Clinical Risk Management, including the development of a theoretical construct for the quality of healthcare services based on stakeholder needs, and a conceptual model for managing risks at an institutional level. MethodologyThe study consisted of a cross-sectional secondary assessment of healthcare service and system-level indicators, guided by a structured decision tree based on face, construct, content, and criterion validity. Established performance measures identified from international benchmarking and institutional quality improvement frameworks were classified and validated for assessment of clinical risks according to indicator type. ResultsA total of 233 performance indicators were evaluated, of which 200 (86%) consisted of measures for assessing failures in clinical practice. According to the proposed framework, (30%) and (14%) of indicators met the criteria for assessing risks associated with clinical processes and organizational systems design respectively. ConclusionMore targeted use of indicators is required in order to achieve a greater degree of accuracy and actionability of performance assessment measures in healthcare practice. The proposed framework offers an applied method to enhance the specificity of quality indicators and direct efforts to improve systems design and decision-making capability.
ER -