ISO 9001 offers an orderly, disciplined approach to managing a healthcare organization. When applied conscientiously, an ISO management system will provide a framework for improvement efforts and the discipline to demonstrate outcomes.
A lot has changed since the first edition of this book was published in June of 2011. Most notably, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed and is being implemented throughout the country. Although the long-term effects of the ACA will not be determined for several years, it is clear that most Americans will be affected in some way and that that the provider and payer communities are undergoing rapid changes.
Even amongst all this uncertainty, the challenges faced by provider organizations can be dealt with most effectively by using an ISO 9001 quality management system. Each of the authors in this book has instituted ISO 9001:2008 as a management system: one in a multi-specialty group practice, the other in a global government healthcare system. Their reasons were different, but in both cases, they established a management system that could respond to diverse needs without adding expenses to their organizations.
