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High standards: ISO 9000 comes to health care
Trustee : the Journal for Hospital Governing Boards
|October 28, 1999
Summary
The international quality system ISO 9000 is gaining traction in healthcare as a cost-effective alternative or supplement to JCAHO accreditation. Its established use in manufacturing offers a familiarity advantage for employers.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Quality Improvement
- International Standards
Background:
- The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is the traditional standard for healthcare quality.
- Healthcare providers are exploring alternative quality management systems.
- ISO 9000 is a globally recognized quality management standard.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the adoption and perceived benefits of ISO 9000 in the healthcare sector.
- To compare ISO 9000 with existing healthcare accreditation bodies like JCAHO.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of healthcare provider perspectives on ISO 9000 adoption.
- Comparison of ISO 9000 features with JCAHO requirements.
Main Results:
- ISO 9000 is viewed as a less expensive option compared to JCAHO.
- Healthcare organizations see ISO 9000 as a viable alternative or complementary system.
- ISO 9000 benefits from established recognition and trust from employers due to its manufacturing history.
Conclusions:
- ISO 9000 presents a cost-effective and familiar quality management framework for healthcare.
- The international recognition of ISO 9000 may facilitate its broader adoption in healthcare settings.