The Use of Total Quality Leadership in Health Promotion Activities in U.S. Navy Commands.
Abstract
Total Quality Leadership (TQL) is a participative, systematic approach to planning and implementing a continuous organizational improvement process. Its approach focuses on satisfying customers expectations, identifying problems, building commitment, and promoting open decision-making among workers. Within the U.S. Navy, in general, and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), in specific, the principles of TQL have been adopted as the new paradigm for quality. This approach consists, at a minimum, of three essential elements: (1) efforts to know the customer more deeply and to link that knowledge more closely to the day-to-day activities of the organization; (2) efforts to mold the culture of the organization, largely through the deeds of leaders, to foster pride, joy, collaboration, and scientific thinking; and (3) efforts to continuously increase knowledge of and control over variation in the processes of work through the widespread use of the scientific methods of collection, analysis, and action upon data. Although many of the concepts of TQL resemble philosophical beliefs long held by the military medical community, it does offer many opportunities to refine old concepts and further those goals of quality care to which health care providers have always aspired.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA323410
Entities
People
- Laurel L Hourani
- Suzanne L. Hurtado
- Wendy F. Graham
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center