Quality Management System and its Role in Quality Maturity of Training Hospitals

Background: Recent trends have led many organizations to use a strategic planning for designing and implementing total quality management (TQM) as a fundamental necessity. This study aims to investigate the role of TQM in the quality maturity of hospitals from the employees’ point of view. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among senior managers and officials of   three Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS) training hospital wards including supervisors, matrons, as well as all members of hospital committees. All the managers who were willing to participate and met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Two questionnaires including "TQM Assessment" and "Quality Maturity of Hospital Services" were used. Statistical analyses were conducted by SPSS Software Package version 20 through multivariable regression modeling. Results: Results affirmed a significant effect of TQM on quality improvement of hospital services; so that a unit of increase in the mentioned variable resulted in 0.63 unit of change in quality maturity (p<0.05). Furthermore among different aspects of quality management system, the greatest impact on quality maturity was related to having a system-wide approach toward management (β = 0.342). Conclusion: To improve the quality of hospital services, it is necessary to promote managers and employees' commitment toward the necessity of implementing quality improvement programs in an effective manner. The establishment of a process management approach, developing a culture of continuous improvement, adoption a systematic approach to deal with managerial issues, and encouraging employees to participate in quality improvement goals are necessary in this regard