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Maria Vastardi

National Agency for Quality Assurance in Health (ODIPY S.A.) , Greece

Title: Quality assessment tools in oncological patient’s care

Abstract

The complex environment of healthcare makes quality control and quality assurance necessary through scientifically evidence based care. Quality measurement in the field of health contributes to the comprehensive assessment of patient's expectations regarding his experience from the care provided. Quality tools’ application to key indicators concerning the structure of services, processes and outcome of services provided, helps to improve patients’ care especially oncological ones whose needs are increased. Flowchart, Cause-Effect Chart, Pareto Principle, Histogram, Data Sheet, Deming Cycle, and Brainstorming are some of the most common tools used to identify weak points and assist their solution. The choice of the suitable quality tool depends on the methodology approach and the dimensions we want to determine. A crucial component of their effective use is updating health professionals? knowledge and training them on the quality tools and the benefits of implementing. Their use facilitates to recognize, record and evaluate the problems. Systematic data collection and comparison of results provide valuable information in care areas of oncological patient, which, if used properly, enable corrective actions that increase satisfaction and positive response to treatment. The goals’ achievement is an indicator which evaluates the interventions, thus directing the implementation of strategies to upgrade care for oncology patients. 

Biography

Maria Vastardi is a Phd(c), Department of Nursing in the University of West Attica in Athens, Greece Her undergraduate studies is on Nursing, she has an MBA in TQM and a BscBA. She is the head of Research and Education Department in the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Health (ODIPY S.A.). She has 20 years of experience in Quality in health services as she worked as a Manager on Quality and Education department in the Cancer Hospital Metaxa, in Greece. She teaches Total Quality Management and Quality Assurance in the National Center of Public Administration in Greece and in the University of West Attica, Department of Nursing. She has participated in many conferences as a speaker on quality in health care. She has publications in scientific magazines and conferences proceedings. Her aim is to help nursing staff / healthcare givers to adopt quality culture in order to facilitate their work and improve patients’ quality of care.