title: The presence of total quality management and continuous quality improvement processes in California public health clinics.
abstract: Total quality management (TQM) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes have not been fully integrated into public health practice. Current levels of participation and interest in TQM/CQI were assessed in California's 62 county departments of health services. Survey results indicated that only 18.5 percent of the 54 respondents were using TQM/CQI. Of those not using TQM/CQI, 75 percent were interested in these activities. Improvement of public health clinic ability to compete and to survive in a rapidly changing health care environment requires fostering this interest through public health decision-maker support, increased TQM/CQI training opportunities, and demonstration of TQM/CQI cost-effectiveness in public health.
authors: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, California, USA.
authors: F D
authors: FD
authors: Scutchfield
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Zúñiga de Nuncio
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Bush
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Fainstein
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: LaRocco
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Anvar
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011635:Public Health Administration; D017749:Total Quality Management