Cross-functional, integrative team decision making: essential for effective QI in health care

Quality improvement methods first developed in industry can be applied in health care, but major adjustments in the traditional health care organization are needed for continuous improvement processes to work. One change is establishing cross-functional or multidisciplinary teams to carry out integrative decision making in the place of departmental hierarchical decision making within the functional areas and disciplines. This article cites examples from experience with one service process--delivery of care to newborns--and examines techniques from the group behavior and conflict resolution literature which could enhance the success of cross-functional teams in health care organizations.