Total quality management in hospitals

Because of the pressures of lowering cost & improving service, many hospital administrators have demonstrated a high level of interest in Studies of Total Quality Management as a means of improving health care quality. TQM studies are popular & widespread. Individual educators, consultants and practitioners may vary somewhat but most would agree that TQM philosophy includes a number of elements. The present study identifies fourteen elements that are associated with Total Quality Management in Hospitals. They include: Top management leadership & commitment, Patient Focus/Customer Satisfaction, Pleasant Hospital culture, Employee commitment, Continuous improvement, Training of personnel, Employee satisfaction, Involvement & Empowerment & Development of Employees, Benchmarking, Tangibles-Services capes (Physical Environment & Facilities), Good HR Practices, Adherence to Regulatory Framework, Process Management, & Supplier Involvement. The present study uses a Questionnaire to identify the relative importance of these factors & postulates A TQM Model for hospitals. Top Management Leadership & Commitment & Employee Commitment are the pre requisites of TQM in Service Industry. They are necessary but not sufficient for implementation of TQM