What does 'clinical governance' refer to in healthcare?

'Clinical governance' refers to a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care within a healthcare system. It encompasses various components such as risk management, patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and performance appraisal. By ensuring that health services are accountable for the quality of care they provide and fostering an organizational culture that emphasizes continuous improvement, clinical governance helps to ensure that patients receive safe and effective care.

The concept is vital for healthcare organizations as it integrates guidelines, standards, and monitoring to uphold quality assurance in clinical practices. This includes utilizing evidence-based practices, evaluating clinical performance, and engaging healthcare professionals in the governance process to promote high standards and improve patient outcomes.

While other options may relate to aspects of healthcare management, they do not encapsulate the core purpose of 'clinical governance.' Enhancing provider satisfaction, marketing strategies, or cost reduction strategies, while important for health system operations, do not focus specifically on the overarching aim of ensuring and improving the quality of care provided to patients.