title: Quality management in Irish health care.
abstract: This paper reports on the findings from a quantitative research study of quality management in the Irish health-care sector. The study findings suggest that quality management is what hospitals require to become more cost-effective and efficient. The research also shows that the culture of health-care institutions must change to one where employees experience pride in their work and where all are involved and committed to continuous quality improvement. It is recommended that a shift is required from the traditional management structures to a more participative approach. Furthermore, all managers whether from a clinical or an administration background must understand one another's role in the organisation. Finally, for quality to succeed in the health-care sector, strong committed leadership is required to overcome tensions in quality implementation.
authors.affiliation: Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ennis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harrington
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004465:Economic Competition; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007857:Leadership; D008330:Management Audit; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*