What term describes the practice of monitoring and evaluating patient care outcomes?

The term that best describes the practice of monitoring and evaluating patient care outcomes is quality assurance. This process involves systematic activities to ensure that healthcare services meet specific standards, and it aims to improve the quality of care through continuous evaluation and feedback mechanisms. Quality assurance typically includes analyzing patient outcomes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to enhance overall healthcare delivery.

In contrast, while clinical assessment refers to the evaluation of an individual patient's health status, it does not encompass the broader scope of monitoring care outcomes across a patient population. Patient feedback relates to individual patient experiences and satisfaction rather than systematic analysis of care outcomes. Outcome analysis, though closely related, primarily focuses on evaluating the direct effects of specific interventions rather than the comprehensive quality assurance processes that include monitoring, assessing, and improving care standards. Thus, quality assurance effectively captures the entire framework of ensuring high-quality care through systematic monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.