Who is responsible for quality assurance in an outpatient setting?

In an outpatient setting, the responsibility for quality assurance typically falls under the purview of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee of the hospital. This committee plays a critical role in establishing medication use policies, overseeing the quality of care provided, and ensuring that the safety and efficacy of medications are prioritized. They often guide and implement protocols that help improve medication management, minimize errors, and enhance overall patient outcomes.

While the attending physician does have a significant role in the care and quality assurance of their patients, the broader scope of quality assurance activities extends beyond an individual physician. Similarly, while the outpatient pharmacy staff are integral to medication dispensing and patient education, quality assurance involves a more comprehensive approach that includes system-wide evaluations and interventions. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is focused on medication safety and risk reduction but is not directly responsible for the quality assurance processes in individual outpatient settings. Therefore, the pharmacy and therapeutics committee is the most appropriate choice for overseeing quality assurance in this context.