Marquis and Huston (2017) review the differences between quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) in your textbook. QA focuses on what is currently happening; QI focuses on what is happening now as well as what needs to happen in the future. Total quality management is a model that guides organizational QI.
For this assignment, you will participate in a discussion with your classmates about your organizations’ QI processes.
Part 1: QI Within Your Practice Setting
o Describe your organization’s QI processes. For example, is there a specific department for QI, who is involved, how are topics determined, etc.? Depending on your role or position, you may need to collaborate with your management or administration team.
o Identify a current, ongoing QI project in place at your practice setting.
Part 2: Applying TQM Principles
o Identify how many of the 14 TQM principles are being used within your QI program.
o Which of the principles do you feel are necessary for use?
o Could an organization not use all of the principles but still have a successful QI program?
o Which of the principles are most important?
o Which of the principles are the least important?
