The role of peer review in a health care organization driven by TQM/CQI.
BACKGROUND
Many health care organizations have embraced the philosophy and tools of total quality management (TQM) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) without overt linkage to existing peer review processes. Achieving total quality in an organization requires that both peer review and TQM/CQI improvement processes be effectively used.


RESULTS
Three ways of linking peer review and TQM/CQI include: 1) coordinating TQM/CQI and peer review quality improvement initiatives whenever possible; 2) expanding the focus of peer review to include assessment of the processes and systems within which the clinician functions; and 3) linking peer review and TQM/CQI improvement processes to address behavioral and attitudinal issues having economic roots.
Wakefield
D S
DS
Institute for Quality Health Care, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Helms
C M
CM
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008332:Management Quality Circles; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States