| Health care institutions have been slow to adopt some of the quality innovations originally developed in the manufacturing industry. The information derived from quality improvement programs affords managers the ability to focus attention on issues of greatest importance and to annually document their priorities as strategic plan initiatives (Duncan, Fleming, & Gallati, 1991). Total quality management (TQM) is a structured continuous improvement model that was developed in the 1950s. Although education programs are generally provided for staff when TQM is initiated, teams often view documentation as excessive and report difficulty achieving goals and making recommendations for change. The purpose of this project is two-fold: (a) to develop a simplified resource manual for TQM team leaders and managers at a 165-bed urban facility, and (b) to determine the effect of exposure to the resource manual on the level of understanding and perceived effectiveness in the performance improvement process by team leaders and managers. |
