Straight talk new approaches to healthcare. The healthcare quality equation.

Though various health organizations may define and approach quality differently, the common denominator is the patient's perspective, experience and outcome. Quality issues should be an important part of health system executives' agenda. Successful quality programs have a number of key ingredients, including decision-reporting tools and business analytics information--which depend on robust information reporting and a system-wide electronic medical record--as well as highly motivated employees and physicians.

Straight talk--new approaches in healthcare. The best starting point for performance improvement: a healthy bottom line. Panel discussion.

Bon Secours Health System's South Division launched a multitude of performance-improvement projects in 2004 even though it boasted a 9% margin. Why? Officials at the Catholic healthcare system wanted to increase the amount of money available for its nation-wide charitable commitments as well as to invest in capital projects critical to its mission. In this installment of Straight Talk, we look at the performance-improvement initiatives of the South Division of Bon Secours Health System, Inc.