What distinguishes Quality Improvement from Quality Assurance?

Quality Improvement is characterized as a continuous process aimed at enhancing services, processes, and outcomes over time. This approach involves ongoing efforts to identify areas for improvement and implement changes proactively to prevent issues before they arise, rather than simply reacting to problems after they have occurred. This continuous nature is what sets it apart from other quality-related concepts.

In contrast, Quality Assurance typically focuses on meeting established standards and ensuring compliance with these standards, which can sometimes lead to a more static or less dynamic approach. It often involves systematic checks to ensure predetermined aspects are functioning adequately.

The other options highlight aspects that do not accurately capture the essence of what defines Quality Improvement compared to Quality Assurance, emphasizing the forward-looking and evolving characteristics inherent in quality improvement practices.