Improving Systems

(Formerly numbered 215A.) Management and operations of individual units and organizations of American health-care system. Exploration of ways in which they actually function and how to ensure their quality and effectiveness. Examination of roles, activities, and daily challenges of managers and how these challenges can best be met on day-to-day basis. Emphasis on applied practice with intent being improvement of student managerial competencies and on development of skills to manage operational processes in delivery of health services, primarily directed to improving effectiveness, efficiency, performance, and quality of health-care services. Quality improvement (QI) techniques such as performance measurement, rapid cycle testing, breakthrough series, and interorganizational collaboration benefit quality and productivity.

Letter grading.