[Quality management. Concepts and application in orthopedics]

Area of Science:

• Health Services Management
• Quality Improvement
• Medical Process Optimization

Context:

• Healthcare systems increasingly adopt Quality Management Systems (QMS) to balance medical quality and financial resource allocation.
• Existing QMS frameworks, successful in manufacturing and service industries, are adaptable for non-profit healthcare settings.
• Diverse perspectives on quality exist within healthcare institutions, emphasizing the need for standardized approaches.

Purpose:

• To explore the applicability and benefits of various Quality Management Systems (QMS) in elective orthopaedic surgery.
• To highlight the importance of customer focus (patient-centered care) in healthcare service delivery.
• To advocate for a strong process orientation, particularly favoring the DIN ISO system, for medical quality management.

Summary:

• The study discusses the adaptation of external, internal, and total Quality Management Systems (QMS) within elective orthopaedic surgery.
• A strong process orientation is identified as crucial, with the DIN ISO system being a favorable model due to its emphasis on defined medical processes.
• The successful implementation of a total hip prosthesis implantation process, designed to DIN ISO conformity, serves as a practical example of process-oriented quality management in surgery.

Impact:

• Adoption of standardized QMS can lead to improved patient outcomes and more efficient resource utilization in healthcare.
• Defining and enforcing clear medical processes through systems like DIN ISO can enhance the reliability and quality of surgical procedures.
• This approach provides a scalable model for quality management across various elective surgical specialties.