What is the main goal of quality control in healthcare?

The main goal of quality control in healthcare is to ensure that products meet required standards, which encompasses a variety of aspects within the healthcare system. In this context, "products" refers not only to medical devices and equipment but also to the services provided by healthcare professionals. Quality control is implemented to maintain high standards of care, ensuring that treatments, procedures, and healthcare practices adhere to established guidelines and regulations. This is critical as it directly impacts patient safety and the efficacy of care delivered.

By focusing on meeting standards, quality control helps facilitate consistency and reliability in healthcare outcomes, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within healthcare organizations. This involves evaluating processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes that enhance the quality of care to patients.

The other options, while they may touch on important aspects of healthcare, do not capture the primary focus of quality control as thoroughly. Increasing profit margins, minimizing costs, and speeding up service delivery can be important goals but are more related to the operational efficiency and financial aspects of healthcare rather than specifically addressing the quality and standards of care itself.