In the context of quality improvement, which term refers to integrating existing knowledge?

The term that best refers to integrating existing knowledge within the context of quality improvement is related to how practitioners apply what they already know to enhance healthcare processes or outcomes. Quality improvement focuses on systematically improving the quality of care based on the collective understanding of existing protocols, data, and experiences gathered over time.

This continuous improvement process incorporates lessons learned from past practices and current data to refine procedures and enhance patient care. It emphasizes the need to monitor, assess, and revise practices based on established knowledge and outcomes, ensuring that the systems in place are effective and based on the best available information that has already been acquired through various means.

In contrast, research generally involves generating new knowledge through systematic investigation, while evidence-based practice is about applying the best available evidence to make informed clinical decisions. Knowledge translation, while encompassing the process of turning evidence into practice, specifically focuses on how knowledge is disseminated and applied rather than the broader scope of improving quality within established frameworks.