Managing Quality

The issues associated with total quality management (TQM) in the Australian health care arena are described and discussed first. The notion of continuous quality improvement (CQI) as is relates to health care in Australia today is covered next. Although the terms total quality management and continuous quality improvement are often used synonymously, there is a distinction. TQM is a management philosophy that encapsulates the whole organisation, whereas CQI is specific to one element of the organisation. This distinction is discussed further later in the chapter. These two paradigms are the foundation of quality programs throughout the health care industry here in Australia and elsewhere around the world. They are the basis on which health professionals aim to assure the consumers of health care that the services that are provided in their organisation(s) are quality products.