USA. IWA-1: 2001 – Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations

Citation

(2002), "USA. IWA-1: 2001 – Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 15 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2002.06215eab.013

USA. IWA-1: 2001 – Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations

USA

IWA-1: 2001 – Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations

Quality Management Systems – Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations is based on ISO 9004:2000 which is more applicable to service organisations, such as health care, than the previous ISO 9000:1994 series. The guidelines were developed by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) in conjunction with the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Healthcare Division and subsequently released by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The guidelines can aid in the development or improvement of a fundamental quality management system within health care organisations. This system provides for continuous improvement, enhanced overall patient care, more effective and efficient services and reduced health care costs.

R. Dan Reid, member of AIAG's Healthcare Project Team and manager of advance activities for worldwide purchasing at General Motors Powertrain said: "ISO 9000 has driven significant improvements in organizations throughout the world, with more than 400,000 registrations issued to date. An ISO 9000-based system was used in the automotive industry with great success, so it seemed logical to take that knowledge and apply it to healthcare."

Several provisions have been included in the document to benefit organisations and their stakeholders. These guidelines provide the quality system basics, some of which are not addressed in some current health care accreditation criteria. The AIAG and ASQ recommend that health care organisations use the Quality Management Systems – Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations document to help define the basic processes and procedures of their quality system. It is intended to be used in conjunction with relevant health care accreditation criteria and any other applicable guidelines, although the guidelines are voluntary, and not intended for accreditation or certification.

The guidelines can be purchased from AIAG's Customer Service Department at (248) 358-3003 or through the ASQ Web site at http://qualitypress.asq.org/perl/catalog.cgi?item=T300