Improving Patient Care in General Practice through Simple Quality Tools / General Medicine

ABSTRACT

The experience of a UK General Practice in implementing quality ideas within the context of a UK Government contract to bring in Quality Targets is described. Simple ideas based on a theoretical background from industrial methods are used to make changes in a typical UK general practice. Measurements based on a range of easily available data, from the practice computer system, enables one to see a benefit to patient care and in particular the management of chronic disease. The stress of dealing with potential mistakes in current British healthcare environment is addressed as is the conflicting culture of Targets applied by Government to the Quality culture. The virtue of a Team approach to change is emphasised as is the principle of “blame reduction” so as to allow the Team to flourish. The author has been impressed with the benefits to both the community and the practice staff of applying basic simple quality tools in general practice.