Quality assurance systems in a Japanese tyre factory are described and the lessons to be learned for the delivery of health care are analysed. Selection of staff with the right…
Abstract
Quality assurance systems in a Japanese tyre factory are described and the lessons to be learned for the delivery of health care are analysed. Selection of staff with the right attitude and values as well as skills is stressed, together with the importance of continual staff development. Commitment to improvement and innovation, encouraged by financial and non‐financial reward systems and supported by senior management, maintains the Company′s leading edge. Quality systems depend on communication centred on the product and linking all members of the production and distribution process, where the next process is the customer.
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Following industrial experience in Japan the author presents a model to evaluate and monitor a community mental handicap service. It looks at outcome, structure and process…
Abstract
Following industrial experience in Japan the author presents a model to evaluate and monitor a community mental handicap service. It looks at outcome, structure and process standards for planning, action, audit and improvement in terms of the client, family, staff member, management, community, facility and comprehensive service. The report focuses on the Waikato Hospital Board′s plans to separate the purchase and provision of service using a trust and providing agencies. It concludes that a quality community service requires information be made available to clients and staff to enlarge their vision and enable the production of a life‐style plan from which training needs may be identified. The trust should facilitate staff rotation, inter and intra agency communication. The whole service requires evaluation by an external agency using a social audit. Underpinning all evaluation will be a common well publicised set of values.
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BRIAN VICKERY and ALINA VICKERY
The paper describes techniques developed by Tome Associates to process natural language queries into search statements suitable for transmission to online text database systems…
Abstract
The paper describes techniques developed by Tome Associates to process natural language queries into search statements suitable for transmission to online text database systems. The problems discussed include word identification, the handling of unknown words, the contents and structure of system dictionaries, the use of semantic categories and classification, disambiguation of multi‐meaning words, stemming and truncation, noun compounds and indications of relationship between search terms.
Sharon J. Williams, Lynne Caley, Mandy Davies, Dominique Bird, Sian Hopkins and Alan Willson
Quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) are a popular approach to improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. This paper evaluates a QIC implemented by a large…
Abstract
Purpose
Quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) are a popular approach to improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. This paper evaluates a QIC implemented by a large, integrated healthcare organisation in Wales in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
This evaluation study draws on two well-established evaluation frameworks: Kirkpatrick's approach to gather data on participant satisfaction and learning and Stake's approach to gather data and form judgements about the impact of the intervention. A mixed methods approach was taken which included documentary analysis, surveys, semi-structured interviews, and observation of the QIC programme.
Findings
Together the two frameworks provide a rounded interpretation of the extent to which the QIC intervention was fit-for-purpose. Broadly the evaluation of the QIC was positive with some areas of improvement identified.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to a QIC conducted within one organisation. Further testing of the hybrid framework is needed that extends to different designs of QICs.
Practical implications
A hybrid framework is provided to assist those charged with designing and evaluating QICs.
Originality/value
Evaluation studies are limited on QICs and if present tend to adopt one framework. Given the complexities of undertaking quality improvement within healthcare, this study uniquely takes a hybrid approach.
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Looks at the reasons for the collapse of both regimes and considers the importance of repression with these developments. Contrasts the methods of Imperial Russia with the…
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Looks at the reasons for the collapse of both regimes and considers the importance of repression with these developments. Contrasts the methods of Imperial Russia with the Bolsheviks looking at Court proceedings, prison conditions, education and propaganda in prison, exile and the secret police. Concludes that whilst social support is usually seen as essential for survival of a system, repression is not regarded as a positive element but can become the method for a system’s survival and stability.
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Gareth Huw Davies, Sian Roderick, Michael D. Williams and Roderick Thomas
The Technium initiative started in 2001 with an initial Business and Innovation Centre established in the Swansea docklands area. Early success of this first Technium building led…
Abstract
The Technium initiative started in 2001 with an initial Business and Innovation Centre established in the Swansea docklands area. Early success of this first Technium building led to the concept being rapidly proliferated into a pan-Wales network of primarily sector-focussed centres. Although the Welsh Government withdrew its support for the Technium network initiative in 2010, the individual centres continued under a range of ownerships and the historic initiative of continued interest, particularly with respect to regional policy.
A vibrant policy and practice debate subsequently emerged together with strident media comment. Lack of coherence between Technium Centres and weaknesses in monitoring systems meant this debate has been poorly informed. This case study helps address the evidence deficit within this debate by revisiting the initial Technium Swansea initiative and its subsequent development.
The case study provides an insight into what can realistically be expected of such initiatives in the short, medium and long terms, with realistic time-horizons for ‘success’ and the role of learning for knowledge-based development in similar initiatives and regions.