If a hospital is to successfully initiate and to maintain improvement and reduce risks to patients and staff,
leadership and planning are essential. Leadership and planning begins with the governing body of the hospital,
along with those who manage and lead the clinical and managerial activities of the hospital on a daily basis.
Collectively, these persons represent the leaders of the departments and services of the hospital. Hospital
leadership is responsible for establishing and providing ongoing support for an organizational commitment to
quality. Hospital leadership develops the quality and patient safety program for governance approval, and
through its vision and support, shapes the quality culture of the hospital. (Also see QPS.1)