title: Creating the environment for process improvement.
abstract: The incorporation of quality improvement methods into the practice of laboratory medicine has become widespread in recent years. However, a significant number of laboratory professionals feel that quality improvement efforts take an excessive amount of time to achieve results. Using quality improvement methods and tools will have limited success without first creating the proper environment. Steps that we have found to be beneficial in creating the environment for successful improvement activities using the FOCUS-PDSA model include having senior leaders perform specific activities, aiming the team, and strategic contracting.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Welborn
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000592:standards*; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006788:Hospitals, Voluntary; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009657:North Carolina; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011340:Problem Solving; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management