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Quality control methods at a hospital

Cem Canel (Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA)
Steve Mahar (Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA)
Drew Rosen (Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA)
John Taylor (Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA)

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Article publication date: 12 January 2010

2552

Abstract

Purpose

Healthcare providers need the information contained in patient records to provide high‐quality services. To be effective, patient record assembly must be completed in a timely manner. This study aims to analyse the medical records assembly process for a hospital in Southeastern United States having difficulty meeting standard completion times established by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Several quality improvement tools were used to evaluate and improve the assembly process.

Findings

As a result of the study, a new procedure was implemented. Consequently, the hospital reduced the time required to assemble medical records, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness. There are hopes to further improve the process.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides guidance on how statistical process control techniques can be applied to improve hospital services. The techniques employed can be used to analyze and improve any process. However, results are limited to improving medical record assembly processes at one particular hospital.

Originality/value

Past studies considered the application of various statistical process control techniques for improving healthcare quality. The study extends research by employing process improvement efforts to understand and develop medical record assembly in a regional hospital via process flow diagramming and control charts.

Keywords

Citation

Canel, C., Mahar, S., Rosen, D. and Taylor, J. (2010), "Quality control methods at a hospital", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 59-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861011010686

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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