Variation – The Enemy of Quality and Patient Safety

One of the major concepts that Dr. Deming (and others) introduced to health care from industry was the concept of variation in key patient care processes (cost, length of stay, infection rates). Please see the questions below and write this assignment in a 350-word minimum posting.

1. Define “variation” in healthcare?
2. Give an example of a variation in patient care that is considered “acceptable variation.”
3. Give an example of a variation in health care that is not an “acceptable variation.”
4. Why is it important for us to understand variation before we can improve a process?

Sample Solution