One Standard is a collection of new tools that is integrated with established tools to support a method to sustainably improve healthcare in low-resource areas. Its focus is on first fixing certain processes that can cause the most patient harm. Once those processes are fixed, other processes are targeted and fixed in the same manner. Patient harm is more likely when healthcare processes are unsafe, which occurs when just one of its required actions, items, or steps are not in compliance with safe patient care standards. Thus, processes linked to patient care are made safer by being standardized which leads to an efficient use of resources with the capacity to predict future needs based on patient volume. Standardization adds efficiency to patient care, increases provider effectiveness, and makes patient harm less likely to occur.

Improvements begin with assessments. In One Standard assessments, data is collected from a hospital or healthcare facility and is entered into a computer program that analyzes the data and creates reports. These reports highlight the data inputted, key benchmarks, and give the facility a grade that reflects how it compares to standards. Furthermore, reports include a list of the actions, items, and steps that the facility needs to correct in order to make processes safe and thus improve care. This clearly defines the starting point and end goal of the facility and enables change to occur. Additionally, multiple reports can be used to track improvements over time.

One Standard has a roadmap to plan and implement improvements. The roadmap includes corrective, advancement, and educational tools to achieve and maintain goals. A hospital or facility can choose to use either the provided tools or external tools, but there should be a correction and maintenance plan for every identified inadequate action, item, and step.

One Standard focuses on only a few events at a time, which allows for staff to process changes and adapt in small increments at a time. When the processes relating to one event are fixed, another event where patients may be harmed is identified and focused on.  This focused and cyclic method to improve care is continued until all healthcare processes are standardized. Staff quickly learn the steps involved in each process and the importance of their role. This repetitive pattern reassures staff and prepares them for the next improvement cycle. It makes ongoing improvements seamless and consistent. Quality and increasing efficiency begin immediately upon starting this process. The greatest decrease in morbidity and mortality occurs at the beginning of this process, which inspires continuing improvements. Once patient care at a hospital or facility is close to or at the standards of care, then care is ready to move to a higher level.