How does quality assurance differ from quality improvement?

Quality assurance is fundamentally about ensuring that processes, products, or services meet established standards and comply with regulations or organizational policies. This is primarily a reactive approach aimed at maintaining consistency and adherence to predefined criteria. It involves systematic monitoring and evaluation of various facets of quality to confirm compliance with standards.

On the other hand, quality improvement is a proactive approach that focuses on enhancing processes and outcomes over time. It emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and refining methods to achieve better performance and results. By targeting inefficiencies and seeking to enhance effectiveness, quality improvement aims at a systematic reduction in variation and an increase in customer satisfaction.

Thus, the correct answer highlights that the essence of quality assurance revolves around compliance and ensuring that established standards are met. In contrast, quality improvement is centered on ongoing enhancements to processes and outcomes, indicating a distinctive difference in their goals and methodologies.