The Quest for Quality: Principles to Guide Medical Radiation Technology Practice.

Quality is a ubiquitous term in medical radiation technology; technologists, programs, and organizations emphasize the importance of "quality care," yet the concept of what is encompassed by the term, how it is built and measured, and who is the judge of whether it has been achieved, are often left undefined. This article will present theoretical definitions of quality, considering the value of professional, patient, and organization perspectives. Foundational quality principles and frameworks will be explored to highlight tools necessary to engage in "quality-related" activities and research at the individual, institutional, and systems level. Being equipped with an understanding of the work of Deming, the underpinnings of the lean strategy and the idea of continuous quality improvement will support technologists in contributing to evidence-based, high-quality, and safe practice. Building on these basics, concepts of complexity and standardization will be explored as they relate to achieving and maintaining quality given changing practice, focusing on personalized medicine, technological innovation, and best practice guidelines. Means to measure and evaluate quality will be presented, emphasizing the need for a structured approach. Using the work of the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy as an example, key quality-related considerations, such as incident reporting, organizational structure, and quality culture will be discussed, with specific attention to roles within the team. When appropriately defined, measured, and evaluated, the quest for quality has the potential to improve safety and mitigate risk. Engaging technologists to assume strong roles in providing the highest quality of care will contribute positively at the level of the individual patient, the organization, and the system.