The business case for quality improvement.

Value in healthcare can be defined as providing the optimal outcome per health dollar spent. Improving the value of healthcare for patients and healthcare organizations requires an understanding and evaluation of the costs and benefits. Investing in quality improvement (QI) work can bring about financial results for healthcare organizations over time, have beneficial organizational effects, and improve outcomes for patients. This article continues a series of QI educational papers in the Journal of Perinatology, and reviews financial and economic measures used to create the business case for QI. Ultimately, the business case for QI is better defined as a business strategy for success.