Quality assurance neither promises nor guarantees error-free health care. Its ultimate goal is to build confidence and faith in the quality of the health care being rendered. Achieving error-free health care at all times is impossible; trying to do so ultimately discourages quality assurance efforts. The ultimate goal, however, is achievable and thus encourages continuous effort. An effective quality assurance program is not an end in itself; rather, it is a means of maintaining and improving health care (O’Leary, 1988).

The NPHO would like to introduce our newest employee, Kat Roberts, RN. Kat has been hired into the position of Quality Assurance Director for the NPHO. With the input of a quality committee, and under the direction of a physician medical director, Kat will develop and implement a quality improvement program designed to showcase the excellent care provided by NPHO members. A major component of the quality program will be clinical integration. NPHO’s commitment to this model is a driving force behind our new quality endeavor, one which will ultimately impact our entire organization positively. Kat comes to NPHO with considerable experience in healthcare quality and education. As this is a new position for us, we will spend the first few weeks and months forming a committee, engaging a medical director, writing policy and procedure and training Kat on eClinicalWorks. Please feel free to contact Kat with any suggestions or ideas you may have as a member of NPHO. You can reach Kat by phone, 405-307-2160 or email at   kroberts@nrh-ok.com