The core tenet of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is the establishment of a continuously learning healthcare system. This approach requires realtime data be utilized by collaborative teams to drive care and process improvement. The data gathering should be protected and compiled for future use in process improvement. These teams must focus on efficiency, safety, and elimination of waste. This process places the patient, providers, and community needs at the center of outcome evidence and developing science to design care. This “culture” results in continuos change in the how care is delivered. It does not rely on catastrophic events or poor outcomes to lead to change. The process attempts to minimize the number of missed opportunities for change.
