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British standard (BS) 5750--quality assurance?
1Orthotics and Disability Research Centre, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Derby, UK.
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
|April 1, 1995
Summary
BS5750 and ISO9000 standards do not guarantee quality assurance. The paper advocates for adopting Dr. W. Edwards Deming's Total Quality Management philosophy for improving prosthetic and orthotic services.
Area of Science:
- Quality Management Systems
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
Background:
- BS5750 is the British Standard for Quality Systems, with European (EN29000) and International (ISO9000) equivalents.
- These standards mandate formal procedures and documentation but do not inherently ensure quality assurance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of BS5750/ISO9000 in achieving quality assurance.
- To propose an alternative framework for improving prosthetic and orthotic services.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the limitations of formal quality management standards.
- Examination of Japanese industrial success through Total Quality Management (TQM).
- Review of Dr. W. Edwards Deming's philosophy on system management for quality.
Main Results:
- BS5750/ISO9000 implementation does not automatically lead to quality assurance.
- Japanese post-war industrial success is linked to TQM principles.
- Deming's philosophy offers a framework for managing systems to deliver high-quality products and services.
Conclusions:
- Improvement in prosthetic and orthotic services requires more than adherence to BS5750.
- Radical rethinking and adoption of Deming's Total Quality Management philosophy are essential for enhancing these services.