title: Total quality management and quality assurance: discussing the differences.
abstract: Total Quality Management and Continuous Quality Improvement have become the "buzz" phrase for the 1990s. Everyone seems to be jumping on the band wagon. But what is it, and is it right for your organization? We believe that Total Quality Management is superior to many Quality Assurance programs currently in use. There are, however, many considerations to take into account before implementing a Total Quality Management program. The purpose of this article is to explain the pros and cons of Total Quality Management and standard Quality Assurance programs and to compare and contrast these two approaches. This article focuses on barriers to successful implementation and presents several questions organizations can utilize in assessing readiness for a quality management program.
authors.affiliation: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crossett
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith-Blair
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cordell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States