Summary
A number of New Zealand district health boards (DHBs) are using quality frameworks and concepts as core elements of their organisational strategies to improve patient outcomes and manage health care costs. The successes and challenges of these strategies can provide useful insights for other DHBs and the broader health system.
In 2015, three New Zealand government agencies – the Ministry of Health, the Treasury and the Health Quality & Safety Commission – initiated a project to examine the links between quality improvement strategies implemented by four DHBs and their organisational outcomes. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Whanganui DHBs.
The ‘Exploring the links’ report gives an overview of each case study DHB and their approach to quality improvement; assesses the impact of quality improvement strategies on their organisational outcomes; and offers useful lessons for organisations with an interest in quality and safety in the health sector.
The report is available on the Treasury website.