Quality Improvement Management Research Articles

Continuous Quality Improvement of Radiation Safety Management for Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma with Iodine-131

Purpose: To explore the effect of continuous quality improvement (CQI) of radiation safety management for patients administerediodine-131 after thyroid cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 103 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were randomly divided into control and experimental groups containing 51 and 52 patients, respectively. In the control group, the drug was administered according to the operating procedure for iodine-131 treatment of thyroid carcinoma. In the experimental group, CQI was adopted to manage the radiation safety of care in addition to the conventional iodine-131 thyroid cancer treatment procedures. We also improved radiation safety protection measures prior to drug administration, developed a flow chart of drug administration for patients, established a patient preview of the drug administration process, and enhanced health education and psychological intervention for the patient. Results: The environmental radiation around the drug delivery window was reduced (P< 0.05), total duration of exposure to the radiation was shortened (P< 0.05), drug drop rate was decreased to 0%, and patient satisfaction was improved in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Application of CQI for management of radiation safety when treating thyroid cancer withiodine-131 can improve patient treatment, quality of care, and satisfaction and reduce radiation pollution in the surrounding environment and radiation injury to staff.

Continuous Quality Improvement in Preoperative Preparation Management of Patients Undergoing Interventional Surgery

<i>Objective</i>: To explore the application effect of continuous quality improvement in preoperative preparation management of patients undergoing interventional surgery. <i>Methods</i>: Set up a continuous quality improvement (CQI) group consisting of the head nurse of the interventional operation room, the nurse, the interventional physician, and the head nurse of the interventional ward. A total of 3099 patients undergoing elective interventional surgery from January to December 2017 were selected as the control group, and 4,048 patients undergoing elective interventional surgery from January to December 2018 as improved group, which preoperative preparation was carried out after the implementation of continuous quality improvement measures. The current problems existing in the preoperative preparation were analyzed retrospectively, formulation and implementation of improvement measures. The qualified rate of preoperative preparation before and after CQI was statistically obtained. In addition, a third-party satisfaction survey was conducted and 200 valid questionnaires were collected to obtain the satisfaction of the two groups of patients. <i>Results</i>: The pass rate of preoperative preparation was increased from 58.02% to 87.18%, and patient satisfaction was also improved in improved group, with statistically significant difference between the two groups (<i>P</i> < 0.05). <i>Conclusion</i>: The application of CQI in preoperative preparation management can improve the pass rate of preoperative preparation, optimize the quality of preoperative nursing, and also improve patient satisfaction.

Improving Quality Management in Higher Education Institutions in Developing Countries through Strategic Planning

The objective of the paper was to provide an overview of strategic planning and how a Strategic Plan (SP) can be developed and implemented effectively in Higher Education Institution (HEIs) in developing countries for continuous quality improvement. Related literature was reviewed and analysed using the narrative synthesis approach. It was established from the review that a SP serves as a framework for determining the quality path a HEI should chart to achieve its desired future. Advantages of strategic planning include; providing opportunity for relevant constituencies to participate in institutional governance, synchronising plans towards achieving institutional goals; prioritising for efficient allocation of resources, and engaging stakeholders for collective ownership of institutional agenda. SPs are developed based on internal and external environmental scan for institutional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and aligned with institutional mission, vision, values, and goals. Issues for consideration in strategic planning may include academic (teaching, research, and extension) matters, institutional governance, finance, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology, human resource, institutional advancement and internationalisation. Challenges in planning and implementation of SPs in HEIs in developing countries include resource constraints, inadequate expertise and commitment, as well as resistance to change. For effective implementation of a SP, there should be an implementation plan that details who should do what at what time and with which resources. Successful strategic planning and implementation of the Plan depend on commitment of and collaboration among qualified planners, implementers, monitors, evaluators and other relevant stakeholders.

Management of quality and qualitative management as the basis for managing the future

This article presents the experience on construction of the variable system of assessment and quality management, the experience of initiation and launching of product lines under the Development program of the area educational system. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the functional subject model of taking management solutions in quality management improvement, also to the framework cluster interaction of educational institutions, according to their inner enquires and needs of realization of certain innovative areas.

The effect of collaborative quality improvement for neonatal pain management in neonatal intensive care units by comparing between attending times

The effect of collaborative quality improvement for neonatal pain management in neonatal intensive care units by comparing between attending times

Model-Based Management of Lung Cancer Radiation Therapy

A truly personalized cancer therapy demands the availability of models, of which tumor dynamics model is imperative. This paper presents a feasibility study of using a tumor growth model for lung cancer treatment planning. Recent developments in radiation therapy are outlined in this work, including target tumor based delivery of limited but highly precise treatment doses during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Based on our prior work, we propose a methodology for quality improvement in treatment management of lung cancer, including the lung tumor motion. The paper presents the tumor behavior in various therapy scenarios by simulating different time-dose schemes for drug administration. The results indicate that the model is adequate and can be further used into the feedback scheme for treatment updates.

Narrative Review of Web-based Healthy Lifestyle Interventions for Cancer Survivors.

This narrative review of web-delivered weight management, diet quality, and physical activity interventions for cancer survivors relies on a systematic search of PubMed, Psych Info, and EBSCOhost which identified 19 unique web-delivered lifestyle interventions for cancer survivors. The sample sizes for these studies ranged from 11–492. Intervention duration ranged from 1–12 months; however, most interventions were 6–12 weeks in length. Ten studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two were two-arm quasi RCTs, and seven employed a single-arm pre/post-test design. Many (N= 15) of the interventions were well-grounded in behavioral theory, which may have led to favorable behavior change. Most studies (15-of-19) targeted and reported increases in physical activity, while only a few targeted and reported improvements in diet quality (36.9% and 15.8%, respectively) and weight management (26.3% and 10.5%, respectively). A notable limitation was that most studies were conducted among populations that were primarily White and female. Future directions for Internet-based lifestyle interventions for cancer survivors include increasing: (a) focus on multiple behavior change, (b) representation of male and minority populations to improve generalizability of findings, (c) extended intervention duration and follow-up to evaluate long-term efficacy of web-based lifestyle interventions, and (d) sample size to allow for adequate statistical power.

Assessment of Customer’s Satisfaction onWater Supply Service Deliveryin Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Understanding consumer satisfaction levels for drinking water can contribute to improvements in water service quality and water management. The aim of this study is to assess the consumers’ satisfaction on water supply service in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia. The representative households were selected by stratified followed by systematic sampling techniques. The data was collected from 351 representative households using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The collected data was coded, edited and entered into STATA (Statistical analysis software) version 14.2 for further statistical analysis. Chi-square test and order logistic regression were conducted. The chi-square test indicated that relatively males were more satisfied than females. Customers with the educational status of having secondary and above educational level were relatively unsatisfied. Similarly, customers who had their own houses were more satisfied than customers who got house from the rent of individuals and agencies, while customers having low and middle income were significantly more satisfied than customers having high-income levels. Results from the order logistic regression indicated that total customer satisfaction had a significant relation with continuity of water supply, water pressure and scheduling of water service. The result also indicated that most customers were not willing to pay additional payment for the existing satisfaction level but customers were willing to pay more if there was a significant improvement in its overall customer services, particularly on the three least rated satisfaction drivers continuous water supply, water pressure and scheduling of water service.

Simplified methods of monitoring airborne bacteria for quality and environmental management in the Japanese food industry

Airborne microbes are examined generally by sampling them on culture media and counting the number of their colonies formed. However, because it takes at least two days for bacteria and five days for fungi to be cultivated, reliable data may not be obtained in a time of need. Therefore, the development of simple and quick detection methods is required. In this study, rapid detection methods of indoor airborne bacteria for the improvement of quality and environmental management were reviewed, and a basic study on simplified monitoring techniques of airborne bacteria applicable to food factories was carried out.

APEX simulation: Water quality of Sacramento Valley wetlands impacted by waterfowl droppings

Since most wetlands in the Sacramento Valley of California are dependent on artificial water delivery, supplying water for wetland management is the greatest challenge to wetland managers, especially during drought years. Efforts are needed to improve the security of water supplies for optimal habitat management and water quality improvement. This study contributes to these efforts by developing an eco-hydrologic model (Agricultural Policy/Environmental Extender [APEX]) of this wetland system, which has key components evaluated in the wetland simulation, including wetting and drying of wetland soils, competition and response of wetland species to wetland hydrology, settling of sediment, and nitrogen (N) removal. APEX model calibration (April of 2017 to May of 2018) and validation (June of 2018 to August of 2018) resulted in a percentage bias (PB) of 9.8% and –8.5%, respectively, for total volume of water holding in four serially connected wetlands. The N contents in the wetland waterbody were calibrated and validated using the monitored values collected during 2017 to 2018 and 2015 to 2016, respectively. All PB values for calibration and validation were over 35%. The calibrated model was used to evaluate the effects of wetland management and increasing temperature on N removal. Moreover, an additive regression model (ARM) was developed based on bird survey data and used to analyze bird dropping seasonal patterns and access their impacts on water quality in the studied wetlands. Based on the results of the model, the wetland water quality was influenced by waterfowl populations and eventually governed by water availability in each wetland cell. The N removal by wetlands was negatively affected by the volume of irrigation water. Moreover, increasing temperature caused a decrease in waterfowl population, which led to decreased N concentration by up to 42%. Overall, the results indicate that the developed model can be effectively used to quantify the effects of wetland management on water balance, water quality, and vegetation and to describe the nexus of wetland management, water use, and ecosystem service functions of managed wetlands.

Digitalization of the State: Traps and Perspectives

In contrast to the ‘digitization’ and transfer of ‘analog’ administrative procedures into the electronic interaction format, digital transformation involves substantial changes in public administration processes that affect all stages of the administrative cycle, as well as the functions and powers of public authorities. The purpose of these changes is to fundamentally improve management quality and the performance and efficiency of government agencies, and to achieve a higher level of elaboration of and substantiation for legislative, regulatory and project-based decision- making. An analysis of the Federal Project Digital Public Administration demonstrates that its system of goals, indicators and results does not always make it possible to assess the extent to which the final effects mentioned above can be achieved.

Design of smart campus management system based on internet of things technology

With the vigorous promotion of the construction of smart campus by the ministry of education, the development concept of smart campus will have broad application prospects. However, colleges and universities are still at the stage of digital campus and there are many problems left. It is difficult to complete the transition from digital campus to smart campus. The main problem is that the campus data has only been digitized but not informational. The purpose of this article is to study a smart campus management system based on the Internet of Things technology. This research uses the unified data collection source of face recognition terminal hardware products based on the Internet of Things technology, unified management in the background of the system, and calculates and analyzes the data to obtain valuable campus big data. This study designed and implemented a complete smart campus management system by analyzing the system design principles and design goals. This system is mainly divided into the face recognition terminal hardware and smart campus software system based on the Internet of Things. By analyzing the data generated by students and faculty and staff, it can provide a reference for campus managers to improve management quality, and help teachers and students to formulate more efficient learning and teaching and research plans. This article tests the practicability of the system and obtains the user’s satisfaction as 8.0.

Impact of Agriculture Technology Management &amp; Quality Improvement Centre (ATMQIC) in terms of Adoption level of Agriculture Technology by the Beneficiaries

Agriculture Technology management Quality Improvement Center (ATMQIC) project was initiated in the year 2014–2015 and the duration of the project was three years. ATMQIC project was started to provide the facility of a ‘single window ’approach. The kind of information and the way it is to be used are critical factor to the growth of agriculture. The present study was conducted in three selected villages ’viz., I Dhan Ka bas of Panchayat Samiti Dudu and khejrawas, Dhani Boraj of Panchayat Samiti Sambhar Lake of district Jaipur, Rajasthan. Where the ATMQIC project was only introduced and implemented the activities related to agriculture. Out of prepared list of total beneficiaries of ATMQIC, 120 respondents were selected from these selected villages through proportional allocation to the size of the population. It was found that majority of 62.50 per cent of the respondents (75) were in the medium level of adoption group, whereas 15.83 per cent respondents (19) were in low adoption group and remaining 21.67 per cent (26) were found in the category of high level of adoption of ATMQIC technology. It might be concluded that majority of farmers were belonged in the group of medium adoption of agriculture technology of ATMQIC.

Implementation of Management Based School in Improving The Quality Of Secondary Education

The implementation of school-based management in Indonesia itself is contained in the Act National Education System Number 20 of 2003 which reads "management of education units early childhood, basic education and secondary education are implemented based on standards minimal service with the principle of school-based management. education Department National Republic of Indonesia calls SBM with School-Based Quality Improvement Management which is defined as "a management model that gives school more autonomy and encourage participatory decision making that directly involves school members to improve the quality of schools based on national education policies.

Assessing and Improving Quality Management Program Among Small and Medium Enterprises in Afghanistan

Assessing and Improving Quality Management Program Among Small and Medium Enterprises in Afghanistan

Практические аспекты управления качеством на предприятиях строительной индустрии

The authors consider the internal and external reserves of improving the quality of products at the enterprises that produce reinforced concrete. The research objective was to study and substantiate the external and internal factors, thus improving the effectiveness of quality management. The paper focuses on the use of such tool of sustainable development as "Six Sigma", which is considered as an important factor in product quality management. The paper also features the process of certification as an external tool that can improve quality management in the construction industry. The authors justified the necessity of mandatory certification of construction products when bidding for a tender. The paper also reviews the experience of sustainable production at reinforced concrete plants. The problems of product quality in the industry are of strategic nature and can cause economic, environmental, and other negative consequences. Quality management should become compulsory in the industry since its products are designed exclusively for the domestic market. As a result, its certification according to State Standards ISO 9001 or GOST R ISO 9001 is absolutely voluntary and performs only image-making functions. As far as tenders for state orders are concerned, mandatory certification may solve the existing problems with the quality of construction work. As internal quality management tool, the concept of "Six Sigma" can be useful for concrete works.

International practices of quality management in healthcare (a review)

An analysis of international publications revealed a growing interest in all aspects of quality in medical care, especially in the definition of the concept of quality in healthcare. In the world community, the following approaches to quality management are widely used: the Total Quality Control (TQC); Total Quality Management (TQM), which includes Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement; Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI); Lean management, including Hoshin Kanri's policy and PDCA's Deming - Shuhart Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act). Practical implementation of the principles of General Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is based on the models of business improvement in quality management: the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) model, the MBQA (Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award) model and the Chronic Care Model. In management ofmedical organizations, the International standards for services perfection are more often used, which use the experience of quality assurance, as well as the international systems and standards: JCI, ISO 9001, IWA1, ISO 15189, ISO 14000, OHSAS 18001. The ISO interstate standards represent the international consensus of world practice in quality management. Nowadays, medical organizations use the following standards: SRPS ISO 9001: 2015, SRPS EN 15224: 2017, SRPS EN ISO 15189: 2014, SRPS EN ISO 13485: 2017, IWA 1: 2005. In the period of globalization of the world economy and healthcare, the best international practices should form the basis for improving domestic health care in medical care quality management.

ЦИФРОВА ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЯ ЗАЛІЗНИЧНОГО ТРАНСПОРТУ ЯК ФАКТОР ЙОГО ІННОВАЦІЙНОГО РОЗВИТКУ

In order to ensure the innovative development of railway transport, the prerequisites for ensuring its digital transformation are studied. The content of digitalization and its advantages for business are revealed. In particular, it is established that digitalization in the business sector contributes to technological progress by optimizing and improving the accuracy and efficiency of work. Attention is focused on the activation of digital transformations in the railway transport of the EU countries and it is revealed that the main standard for the introduction of digital innovations is ERTMS, which includes the European train control system and GSM-R mobile networks to ensure communication between trains and radio units. Now ERTMS projects, which are usually called digital Railways, are developing in the UK, Germany and Norway and other countries. The state of ICT implementation in railway transport is revealed and it is determined that now realizuemih measures for the development of information and communication tools is extremely insufficient for the formation of digital advantages of railway transport. It is concluded that the impetus for the digital transformation of the railway industry are three main components. The first is the digital counterparts of objects, which are models that can display the physical state of a process in real time. The second is solutions that ensure the integration of all enterprise information systems on a single digital platform. The third component is the development of the industrial Internet, which allows you to connect objects and individuals to a single network and provides data exchange. Digital transformation, which is based on these three components, can lead not only to improved reliability and quality of rail transport, but also to positive economic effects-reducing transaction costs, productivity growth, etc.The main directions of digital transformation in technological and organizational aspects are defined. It is found that the organizational context of the digital transformation of railway transport is based on: partnership and cooperation; changes in HR-strategy and culture; improvement of management quality; changes in organizational structure.

Case Management for Southwestern Hospice Organization: Process Improvement Plan.

Studies have shown that registered nurses are inadequately prepared to care for patients requiring hospice and palliative care. Reasons include inadequate curriculum, along with a lack of structured education related to hospice/palliative care and symptom management, which includes inadequate education on delivering home-based hospice/palliative case management. Challenges at the Southwestern Hospice Organization are consistent with industry standards, evidenced by a high level of afterhours triage phone calls related to ineffective case management setup and delivery upon patient admission to hospice service. Many of these triage inquires could be prevented with improved registered nurse case management education and subsequent execution. Through analyzing Southwestern Hospice Organization afterhours triage phone data, a deficiency in effective patient case management setup and delivery was defined. Best practices in hospice/palliative case management were then identified, and a quality improvement plan in the form of a nurse driven, hands-on, home hospice/palliative case management simulation was generated. Quality improvement for patient case management at the Southwestern Hospice Organization was the end goal.

New Opportunities for Education Quality Management Systems Improvement at Higher Education Institutions

This paper aims at researching new opportunities for improving education quality management systems at higher education institutions. Methods of analyzing data procured from documents and expert estimates were used in the research. The paper analyzes main disadvantages of the existing education quality management systems at higher education institutions and indicates the cause thereof. Issues of education quality improvement are explored, based on increasing the volume of feedback information in colleges’ electronic information and educational environment. The authors have developed tools for improving the volume and quality of feedback information received within the educational process; they provide a description of these tools. Quality map of the current educational process determines the criteria for evaluating the academic process based on feedback indicators, while monitoring of the current academic process helps procure these. Based on these tools, the model of an improved quality management system is provided, which applies the strategy of management by deviations, mechanisms of quick management and mid-term planning of developing the college’s educational system. Conditions ensuring successful implementation of the new mechanisms of education quality management system at a higher education institution are analyzed. Overall, the paper demonstrates new opportunities for developing the education quality management systems at a higher education institution based on applying feedbackbased monitoring of the current academic process.