Quality assurance in health care: the case of the System of Explicit Health Guarantees

Abstract

In the process of Health Reform, started in 2005, three metrics of quality are defined, namely: the accreditation of health care facilities; the Certification of Professionals; and the public records of professionals and facilities. The aim is that users be assured of the best posible conditions of security at the time of receiving care. Within the framework of the new legislation, the state guarantees to all citizens their health rights and to that end has generated and shall maintain formal and easily accesible public registries. The organization for health care quality evaluation is already operational, so that the year 2013 will mark the turning point for Quality Assurance in the System of Explicit Health Guarantees (AUGE). In this way, Chile is moving from universal coverage with health services to guaranteed levels of quality and safety of health care for all.