Quality management at a hospital's nursing service

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Administration
• Quality Improvement in Healthcare

Background:

• Quality Management (QM) is crucial for effective hospital service delivery.
• Understanding healthcare professionals' perspectives on QM implementation is essential.
• Previous studies highlight the importance of leadership and process control in quality initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nurses' opinions on the implementation of Quality Management in a hospital setting.
• To identify specific QM principles that are well-received or require improvement from the nursing perspective.
• To explore the practical application of Total Quality principles in nursing services.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory and descriptive study design was employed.
• Data was collected from a sample of 17 nursing professionals.
• Nurses' opinions were gathered regarding the 14 principles of quality management.

Main Results:

• The principle 'adopt and institute leadership' received the highest score among nurses.
• The principle 'cease the dependency of mass inspection' received the lowest score.
• Nurses generally perceived Total Quality as a viable and implementable philosophy.

Conclusions:

• Nurses view Total Quality Management as a practical philosophy for their services.
• There is a willingness among nurses to overcome traditional barriers and move from discourse to practice in QM.
• Leadership and reduced reliance on inspection are key areas for focus in nursing quality management.