Natkamol Chansatitporn and Vallerut Pobkeeree
The purpose of this paper is to explore, confirm and verify leadership with regards to quality management measurement models. This research focused on identifying individual staff…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore, confirm and verify leadership with regards to quality management measurement models. This research focused on identifying individual staff members’ leadership attributes at the Thai National Institute of Health in relation to quality management.
Design/methodology/approach
The research instrument used in this study was a modified questionnaire on self-leadership and quality management that was distributed to the institute’s staff. Leadership and quality management construct variables were observed and measured through staff perceptions, attitudes, practices and existing facts at the institute. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the data.
Findings
The questionnaire had a 65 percent response rate. EFA revealed six factors from 27 questionnaire items and CFA was used to confirm the measurement models that were fitted to the data. The leadership attributes of staff members at the institute were statistically associated to and impacted on quality management by SEM analysis.
Research limitations/implications
In-depth understanding of leadership and quality management could be done through a longitudinal study because the two factors would change over time. Even though this model is not a longitudinal study, it could help the institute facilitate and manage quality in practice through leadership.
Originality/value
A cross-sectional study is used to examine the effect of leadership on quality management through factor analysis and SEM, which provided empirical evidence for future research. Leadership and quality management measurement models have statistically proven to be appropriately, technically and theoretically correct by design for observing variables used in the leadership measurement model that affects quality management.
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S. Kanitvittaya, U. Suksai, O. Suksripanich and V. Pobkeeree
In Thailand nearly 1,000 public health laboratories serve 65 million people. A qualified indicator of a good quality laboratory is Thailand Medical Technology Council…
Abstract
Purpose
In Thailand nearly 1,000 public health laboratories serve 65 million people. A qualified indicator of a good quality laboratory is Thailand Medical Technology Council certification. Consequently, Chiang Rai Regional Medical Sciences Center established a development program for laboratory certification for 29 laboratories in the province. This paper seeks to examine this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The goal was to improve laboratory service quality by voluntary participation, peer review, training and compliance with standards. The program consisted of specific activities. Training and workshops to update laboratory staffs' quality management knowledge were organized. Staff in each laboratory performed a self‐assessment using a standard check‐list to evaluate ten laboratory management areas. Chiang Rai Regional Medical Sciences Center staff supported the distribution of quality materials and documents. They provided calibration services for laboratory equipment. Peer groups performed an internal audit and successful laboratories received Thailand Medical Technology Council certification.
Findings
By December 2007, eight of the 29 laboratories had improved quality sufficiently to be certified. Factors that influenced laboratories' readiness for quality improvement included the number of staff, their knowledge, budget and staff commitment to the process. Moreover, the support of each hospital's laboratory working group or network was essential for success.
Research limitations/implications
There was no clear policy for supporting the program. Laboratories voluntarily conducted quality management using existing resources.
Practical implications
A bottom‐up approach to this kind of project can be difficult to accomplish. Laboratory professionals can work together to illustrate and highlight outcomes for top‐level health officials. A top‐down, practical approach would be much less difficult to implement.
Originality/value
Quality certification is a critical step for laboratory staff, which also encourages them to aspire to international quality standards like ISO. The certification program is an important mechanism for addressing inadequate knowledge, budget, planning, policy and staff required to improve laboratory services.
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Khwanjai Wangkahat, Somboon Nookhai and Vallerut Pobkeeree
The article aims to give an overview of the system of public health laboratory quality management in Thailand and to produce a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats…
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to give an overview of the system of public health laboratory quality management in Thailand and to produce a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis that is relevant to public health laboratories in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The systems for managing laboratory quality that are currently employed were described in the first component. The second component was a SWOT analysis, which used the opinions of laboratory professionals to identify any areas that could be improved to meet quality management systems.
Findings
Various quality management systems were identified and the number of laboratories that met both international and national quality management requirements was different. The SWOT analysis found the opportunities and strengths factors offered the best chance to improve laboratory quality management in the country.
Practical implications
The results are based on observations and brainstorming with medical laboratory professionals who can assist laboratories in accomplishing quality management.
Originality/value
The factors derived from the analysis can help improve laboratory quality management in the country. This paper provides viewpoints and evidence‐based approaches for the development of best possible practice of services in public health laboratories.
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C.R. Vishnu, R. Sridharan, P.N. Ram Kumar and V. Regi Kumar
Risk management in the healthcare sector is a highly relevant sub-domain and a crucial research area from the humanitarian perspective. The purpose of this paper is to focus on…
Abstract
Purpose
Risk management in the healthcare sector is a highly relevant sub-domain and a crucial research area from the humanitarian perspective. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the managerial/supply chain risk factors experienced by the government hospitals in an Indian state. The present paper analyzes the inter-relationships among the significant risk factors and ranks those risk factors based on their criticality.
Design/methodology/approach
The current research focuses on 125 public hospitals in an Indian state. Questionnaire-based survey and personal interviews were conducted in the healthcare sector among the inpatients and hospital staff to identify the significant risk factors. An integrated DEMATEL–ISM–PROMETHEE method is adopted to analyze the impact potential and dependence behavior of the risk factors.
Findings
The analysis asserts the absence of critical risk factors that have a direct impact on patient safety in the present healthcare system under investigation. However, the results illustrate the remarkable impact potential attributed to the risk factor, namely, staff shortage in inducing other risk factors such as employee attitudinal issues, employee health issues and absenteeism altogether resulting in community mistrust/misbeliefs. Maintenance mismanagement, monsoon time epidemics, physical infrastructure limitations are also found to be significant risk factors that compromise patient satisfaction levels.
Practical implications
Multiple options are illustrated to mitigate significant risk factors and operational constraints experienced by public hospitals in the state. The study warrants urgent attention from government officials to fill staff vacancies and to improve the infrastructural facilities to match with the increasing demand from the society. Furthermore, this research recommends the hospital authorities to start conducting induction and training programs for the hospital employees to instill the fundamental code of conduct while working in hectic, challenging and even in conditions with limited resources.
Originality/value
Only limited papers are visible that address the identification and mitigation of risk factors associated with hospitals. The present paper proposes a novel DEMATEL–ISM–PROMETHEE integrated approach to map the inter-relationships among the significant risk factors and to rank those risk factors based on their criticality. Furthermore, the present study discloses the unique setting of the public healthcare system in a developing nation.
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Vítor Vasata Macchi Silva and José Luis Duarte Ribeiro
The purpose of this paper is to describe the activities needed to meet specified requirements to assist laboratory staff running tests and calibrations and to obtain ISO/IEC 17025…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the activities needed to meet specified requirements to assist laboratory staff running tests and calibrations and to obtain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Design/methodology/approach
The relevant literature that contributes to establishing activities that help laboratory staff to obtain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation was studied. Laboratory researchers specializing in electro-medical equipment quality control were questioned about the criteria to be observed when selecting, developing and validating analytical steps.
Findings
Results revealed the analytical method criteria to be observed, which demonstrated their essentially quantitative nature.
Originality/value
This study presents a model that improves selecting, developing and validating analytical steps and contributes to producing reliable test and calibration results. These improvements can help laboratory testing and calibration to meet clients’ needs, satisfy specified requirements and provide reliable results.
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Vallerut Pobkeeree, Surachart Na Nongkhai and Sangkom Vittayanan
– The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational-related factors of a public health laboratory in northern Thailand through the perspectives of staff.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational-related factors of a public health laboratory in northern Thailand through the perspectives of staff.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research on organizational factors that affected management. Staff at the public health laboratory provided their perceptions and facts existing within the organization with regards to the following factors that could affect management performance; leadership, organizational culture, work environment and organizational commitment.
Findings
It was found that leadership, work environment and organizational commitment had a significant impact on management performance while organizational culture did not.
Practical implications
The research on management could be applied to enhance leadership, work environment and organizational commitment to achieve management performance.
Originality/value
The quantitative research on organizational factors could help determine management performance. Moreover, leadership, work environment and organizational commitment can significantly predict the organization’s management performance.
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Natkamol Chansatitporn, Vallerut Pobkeeree, Surachart Na Nongkhai and Somchai Sangkijporn
The purpose of this paper is to confirm and examine organization-related factors that could affect quality management at the Thai national reference laboratory known as National…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to confirm and examine organization-related factors that could affect quality management at the Thai national reference laboratory known as National Institute of Health.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors invited 340 laboratory staff members to complete a questionnaire that enquired about their skills, opinions, perceptions, leadership, work environment, organizational culture and organizational commitment in relation to quality management. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.
Findings
In total, 65 percent of institute members responded to the questionnaire. CFA revealed that all factors were related to quality management. Three factors, leadership, organizational commitment and work environment, significantly affected quality management, but organizational culture did not.
Research limitations/implications
Other data types should be collected for an in-depth understanding, i.e. focus groups or in-depth interviews. A longitudinal study could also enhance quality management understanding to see how each variable changes over time.
Originality/value
Analyzing quality management through confirmatory factor and regression analysis showed that the four analyzed variables are statistically significant in relation to quality management at the laboratory. Managers could apply this information to revise the current policy.