Total Quality in Radiology

Book excerpt: Total Quality is a practical, proven approach to management that is successfully being applied throughout American industry-and more recently in health care organizations. Total Quality in Radiology: A Guide to Implementation is designed to be used by the neophyte or experienced quality improvement practitioner. Written by two authors with extensive experience in departmental leadership, problem solving, and improvement programs, this new book provides the reader with a step-by-step, practical approach for implementing total quality in a radiology department. The book covers all the principles of total quality and provides the basic tools necessary to begin and implement a detailed QI program. For the administrator, there are examples of actual radiology improvement projects that have been implemented in U.S. hospitals-including successes and setbacks. Lessons learned and pitfalls are openly discussed. For the radiologist, there is a fresh new look at quality from the "customer's" perspective-the patient and referring physician. Examples of programs "in operation" are provided as well as suggestions for other areas where radiology-initiated quality programs may have a positive impact on patient outcome. This book has something for those who want relief from crisis management and wish to maintain an abiding commitment to an improved health care workplace.