1st Edition
Total Quality in Radiology A Guide to Implementation
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.
1. Introduction to Total Quality Management
Introduction
Historical Perspective
Quality Assurance vs. Quality Improvement
Deming's 14 Points Applied to Radiology
2. Creating Purpose in the Radiologic Practice
Vision
Mission
Guiding Principles
3. Seeking Continuous Improvement
What the Customer Wants
Measurable Department Logistics
Measurable Radiologic Science
Summary
4. Defining Process and the TQM Method
The Basic Process
FOCUS-PDCA
Total Quality Improvement Implementation Plan
5. Mastering the Tools of TQM
Cause-and-Effect Diagram
Histogram
Pareto Chart
Scatter Diagram
Trend Chart
Control Chart
Group Task and Decision-Making Tools
Summary
6. The Basics of Statistical Analysis
Doing It with Data
Basic Descriptive Statistics
Basic Statistics of Diagnosis
PART II: IMPLEMENTATION:
MAKING IMPROVEMENT CONTINUOUS
7. The Process of Getting Started
Making the Transition from Business as Usual
The Fundamentals
Managing the Implementation
Pitfalls
8. Improvement in Department Logistics
Clarifying the Mission of the Department
Tackling Excessive Patient Waiting Time
Reducing Report Turnaround Time
Improving Patient Access
Solving Revenue Problems
Pitfalls
9. Improvement in Diagnosis and Therapeutics
Improving Breast Cancer Detection
Optimizing Magnetic Resonance Diagnosis
Cross-Functional Improvement Programs
Thoughts on Future Applications
10. The Use of Personal Computers in the Improvement Process
Data Collection and Entry
Databases
Spreadsheets
Audits
Hardware Requirements
Appendix A: Quality Improvement Templates
Additional Readings
Index
Biography
Sudhir Arora
"This book is short, easy-to-read, and includes information you need to know...a primer in CQI. Other competing short texts specifically introducing the topic to radiologists do not exist."
Marvin Guter-Vestal, NY
Donald C. Kubisa-Binghamton, NY
"The book not only meets the author's objectives, but it is written in such a way as to be a resource book one would find going back to time and time again...Rating: 94"
ADVANCE for Administrators in Radiology, November 1994
"Total Quality in Radiology should be read by those who are about to look in the mirror of continuous improvement."
Carol Wesolowski, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor
