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Total quality management in a hospital
1Enterprise Systems, IBM Corporation, Somers, NY.
QRB. Quality Review Bulletin
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Implementing total quality management (TQM) in hospitals is crucial for improving clinical quality and reducing costs. This article offers practical guidance on TQM groundwork, including strategic commitment and human resources for successful healthcare quality improvement.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Quality Improvement Science
Background:
- Hospitals face challenges adapting Total Quality Management (TQM) principles.
- Joint Commission standards increasingly encourage TQM adoption for performance improvement.
- TQM promises enhanced clinical quality and reduced costs of poor quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of TQM implementation challenges in American hospitals.
- To highlight practical groundwork essential for successful TQM programs.
- To address the integration of TQM with existing quality assurance efforts.
Main Methods:
- Review of TQM implementation issues in a hospital setting.
- Emphasis on practical, experienced-based approaches.
- Discussion of strategic commitment, human resources, and process oversight.
Main Results:
- TQM implementation requires strategic commitment and attention to human resources.
- Effective oversight is crucial for the unfolding TQM process.
- The realization of cost savings through TQM requires further observation.
Conclusions:
- Successful TQM implementation in hospitals hinges on practical groundwork and strategic planning.
- Integrating TQM with existing quality assurance requires careful consideration.
- Further research is needed to fully assess TQM's impact on cost savings in healthcare.