title: Total quality management and performance in substance abuse treatment centers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship of organizational characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers with their use of quality management practices (total quality management [TQM]) and the contribution of TQM use to a center's provision of comprehensive care and to use of evidence-based treatment practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from a national sample of over 700 private and public substance abuse treatment centers in the National Treatment Center Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design was a cross-sectional field study. The key variables were three TQM practices, the provision of comprehensive treatment services, and the implementation of evidence-based treatment practices. Numerous organizational characteristics were controlled.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were obtained through interviews with administrative directors and clinical directors of the treatment centers in 2002-2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In multivariate models, TQM practices were positively related to provision of comprehensive care and use of evidence-based practices. A limited set of organizational characteristics predicted the use of TQM practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Substance abuse treatment centers' implementation of TQM processes may be positively related to the quality and cost-effectiveness of care provided.
authors.affiliation: School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, USA. dailfie@regent.edu
authors.forename: Dail
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Roman
mesh_terms: D015233:Models, Statistical; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management