title: Tackling hospital costs and delays.
abstract: Continually improving processes rather than undertaking projects with temporary problem-solving methods achieves total-quality-control services. Nine delay categories used in a 4-year audit determined reasons for service delivery delays on two cardiology units. As a result, patient length of stay and resource consumption decreased and quality of patient care was enhanced.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Tassel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeSantis
mesh_terms: D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000592:standards; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008330:Management Audit; D017749:Total Quality Management