The business case for health-care quality improvement.

The business case for health-care quality improvement is presented. We contend that investment in process improvement is aligned with patients' interests, the organization's reputation, and the engagement of their workforce. Four groups benefit directly from quality improvement: patients, providers, insurers, and employers. There is ample opportunity, even in today's predominantly pay-for-volume (that is, evolving toward value- based purchasing) insurance system, for providers to deliver care that is in the best interest of the patient while improving their financial performance.