At a Glance:
Standard workflows and protocols create the foundation that makes safer care, meaningful measurement, and sustainable improvement possible.
Summary:
- Standardization reduces harmful variation by ensuring that routine care does not depend on memory, habit, or individual preference.
- Temporary fixes only become lasting QI gains if they are built into standard workflows.
- Protocols and checklists reduce preventable harm by keeping care consistent during high-volume, high-stress situations.
- Standardization supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.