Evaluation of quality management practices in the Ekurhuleni public hospitals

M.Tech. (Operations Management)This study has demonstrated that continuous quality improvement and total quality management are the names for a philosophy of management that aims to help outcomes in both the individual and organizations of all kinds, eliminating quality waste during health care delivery service. In an effort to make a contribution to addressing the current challenges, areas of poor patient and lack of quality health care are explored in this study. Patients and healthcare professionals‟ views on Quality Management (QM) practices are also explored. Therefore, for the purposes of this dissertation, the researcher has expanded the QM definition. The poor patient care and shortage of skilled nursing practitioners‟ in nursing has indicated the need for top management commitment to measure, improve and provide high-quality health care for all its citizens. This is mainly due to lack of quality knowledge and skills, patients‟ education, and communication skills. In addition, no formalised framework exists on how quality of care in the context of nursing should occur, despite policy on quality health care being a legal requirement (National Department of Health, 2007:11). The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate quality management practices in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality public hospitals. Quality management for health care delivery in public hospitals in Gauteng Department of Health was determined and conceptualised and a framework developed on which the improvement of a quality strategy could be based. Altogether three (3) public hospitals throughout Gauteng Ekurhuleni region participated in this dissertation. A triangulation approach was adopted to collect data, analyse and answer the research questions. In this dissertation both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were employed to analyse data derived from self-administered (open and closed) questionnaires, whilst semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the hospital unit manager (see Annexure 1 & 5).This, in turn, increased the validity of the empirical study part of this dissertation and enhanced the rigorous use of both quantitative and qualitative data