The role of hospital boards in assuring quality performance

A US study published in January 2010 revealed large differences in governance of quality of care between the highest and lowest performing hospitals. For example, higher performing hospitals have boards whose members have expertise in quality of care, make clinical quality a priority, and regularly review data about the hospital’s performance in relation to quality.

Research such as this provides the evidence for investing in improving board performance in relation to quality and safety.

We are funding researchers to conduct a similar study in the UK. The research has explored perceptions of board expertise on quality of care issues. Quantitative data has been collected from the board Chair of all trusts providing acute care in England.

The research is being carried out by Arnold Epstein and Ashish Jha (the authors of the US study), from the Harvard School of Public Health in the US.

When will the findings be available?

To date, this research has contributed to several publications.

For further information please contact:

Jonathan Bamber, Research and Development Manager