[Dynamic evaluation of the effects of quality management].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the effects of quality management over time at a radiology department.


METHODS
Data concerning the performance of the department, entered on a monthly basis, will be compared with entries in the error report system on the basis of time series analysis (regression models taking seasons and auto-correlation effects into account). The observation period consists of 46 homogeneous monthly time pulses.


RESULTS
Effects of the suggestions and the total number of reports in the quality assurance system on the performance of the department can be observed with a two-month delay. This association is statistically highly significant (p < 0.01) and, because of the procedures used, not attributable to general developmental trends, seasonal fluctuations or autoregressive processes.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of quality assurance measures is a well justified demand and should be based on the analysis of data collected from quality assurance systems operating on a continuous basis over a long period of time. The analysis of data from a radiology department shows that quality assurance is reflected in the performance of the department.
Salomonowitz
E
E
Zentrales Institut für Radiologie, Diagnostik und Interventionelle Therapie, Landesklinikum St. Pölten. erich.salomonowitz@stpoelten.lknoe.at
Strunk
G
G
Stadlbauer
A
A
Dürselen
L
L
Güntert
B
B
D001317:Austria; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000191:economics; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*