Quality improvement continual

Management should also install a process for quality improvement. Continuous quality improvement will occur only through a defined, planned, documented and systematic approach that involves eveiy employee. 

Are SPC/SQC charts maintained and used for continuous product quality improvement ... 

The chief executive should formally document the organization s quality policy. This policy should include the relative priority assigned to continuous quality improvement, the acceptable standard for quality, and the system to achieve that standard. 

Excess resources can contribute to the Total Quality Management continuous improvement process Spare capacity provides resilience to unusual demands. Increasing resources does not necessttnly meitn more people, but it may be achieved by better design of jobs, equipment, or procedui.. s. 

The final step in the process of standardizing our columns was to try and maintain the high quality of columns from batch to batch of gel from the manufacturer. This was done by following the basic procedures outlined earlier for the initial column evaluation with two exceptions. First, we did not continue to use the valley-to-peak ratios or the peak separation parameters. We decided that the D20 values told us enough information. The second modification that we made was to address the issue of discontinuities in the gel pore sizes (18,19). To do this, we selected six different polyethylenes made via five different production processes. These samples are run every time we do an evaluation to look for breaks or discontinuities that might indicate the presence of a gel mismatch. Because the resins were made by several different processes, the presence of a discontinuity in several of these samples would be a strong indication of a problem. Table 21.5 shows the results for several column evaluations that have been performed on different batches of gel over a 10-year period. Table 21.5 shows how the columns made by Polymer Laboratories have improved continuously over this time period. Figure 21.2 shows an example of a discontinuity that was identified in one particular evaluation. These were not accepted and the manufacturer quickly fixed the problem. 

Outcome and quality improvement activities Continuing medical education... 

Self-assessment Self-assessment can help an organization to learn about its own strengths and weaknesses. Transforming a DRA into a learning organization which routinely conducts self-assessment and continuous quality improvement can be a powerful approach to enhancing dmg regulatory performance. 

The primary goal of quality improvement (QI) is to continuously monitor and improve the quality of care delivered to MCO beneficiaries. Quality improvement... 

Most QI programs build upon an established quality assurance (QA) process. Quality assurance can be defined as a formal and systematic process in which problems in delivering health care are identified, solutions to the problems are developed and implemented, and follow-up monitoring then is carried out [30]. QA begins with problem identification. After possible sources of the problem are determined, solutions are developed and implemented. Then, the results of the intervention or solution are evaluated to determine whether or not the problem has been resolved. By incorporating a goal of continual improvement, a QA process can contribute to quality improvement activities. 

All the objectives presented in Box 11.1 can be described as quality improvement in the structure and process to support improvement in each patient s health outcome. This support the patient medication care process presented in Fig. 3.1. Various problems and tools and models for improvement have been described in this book. Another approach to prevent medication errors and to improve care is to be open and continuously learn from mistakes. The basis for this is not to punish health care providers who make errors, as this may lead to less reporting of errors. In Britain, the government has taken steps away from this blame-culture (Wise 2001). In a declaration it is stated that honest failure should not be responded to primarily by blame and retribution, but by learning and by a drive to reduce risk for future patients. 

Hahn, G.J., and Boardman, T.J. (1987a), Continuous Quality Improvement Part 1, CHEMTECH, 17, 346-349. 

Quality improvement is the aim of any modem organization. Improvement needs to be continuous and never ending. The means of improvement can be applied to both the staff and the processes. The degree of improvement achieved can be measured, monitored and controlled. 

Planning quality improvement, implementing the plan, analysing the results and re-plamung is a continuous cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act). Interrelated improvement plans are deployed at all levels of the laboratoiy (corporate, department, process, individual). It is essential to note that the commitment of laboratory personnel is maximized when such personnel is actively involved in the generation and deployment of the improvement plans. 

The history of the FDA is a story of continuously stepping back. Is the product free of contaminants Then step back and consider the process of production. Is the product well organized and safe Examine next the hardware and software systems that control that manufacturing process. Every time one level of concern has achieved industr3rwide predominance it is possible to apply the energies used to achieve that awareness and compliance to yet another previous step. The process is, in effect, continuous quality improvement in action. 

In the 1990s the major focus was on system validation, on assuring the quality control (QC) of the hardware and software that operated the manufacturing process, automated the laboratories, and controlled the inventory. As that validation process achieved mainstream acceptance and majority saturation it is appropriate to ask What next Where can we and the regulators most productively next turn our attention to maintain continuous quality improvement ... 

The sales and service requirements of the material supplier to the automotive industry are very demanding. The pace is rapid and our continuing efforts to increase quality, improve product reliability, and give our customers the most for his dollar are some of our continuing goals. 

In contrast, those needing tests for quality control are more satisfied with existing methods, but nevertheless an equally consistent complaint is that the tests should be quicker and cheaper to perform. Vast strides have been made in efficiency through the automation of apparatus and the manipulation of data, but commercial pressures are such that improvements continue to be sought. 

PAT-based control provides the basis for a more efficient design, establishment and operation of manufacturing processing where predictive product quality and continuous improvement are two cornerstones of the operational strategy. 

U.S. Army. 1998b. Generic Medical Continuing Quality Improvement Plan. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. U.S. Army Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization. 

Explain the differences between quality assurance, quality control, and continuous quality improvement. 

Outline the steps necessary for a successful continuous quality improvement plan. 

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