Quality Assurance Management Research Articles

IMPLEMENTASI TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) DI INSTITUT PTIQ JAKARTA

Research on the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) was conducted at PTIQ Institute Jakarta. Research is more focused on the implementation of total quality management in the Graduate Program of PTIQ Jakarta Institute. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach that is a study that intends to understand the phenomenon of what is experienced by the research subject. Data is obtained through research on documents and interviews with stakeholders.
 The results of this study are: First, the application of Total Quality Management (TQM) at PTIQ Jakarta Institute has been prepared based on the rector's decision. Completeness of the document has been owned although still not detailed to the lowest level.
 Second, the implementation is realized by giving duties to lecturers as the embodiment of the Rector's decision. However, the number of task implementers in the field is still not balanced with the number of tasks charged, so that there are some tasks that have not been completed
 Third, Total Quality Management (TQM) for Private Islamic Religious Colleges (PTKIS), at PTIQ Institute has been working on digitalization models to facilitate and streamline work. Support for creating apps has been provided, although it is still in a simple stage.
 Fourth, the model of digitalization of devices to manage quality assurance systems and strengthen human resources becomes an important variable in maximizing the quality of quality management in Islamic Religious Colleges

Reconfiguring the Academic Success Matrix through Student Involvement: Implications for a Higher Education Institutions: A Case of Three Selected Universities in Zimbabwe

The article explores reconfiguring the concept of academic success in Zimbabwe, now premised on the attainment of benchmark Doctrine Education 5.0 pillars set by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and enforced by Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZimCHE) as a quality assurance agency. It reviews academic success standards based on teaching and learning; research, community engagement; innovation; and industrialisation. Targeting, HEI quality assurance officers, managers, and students as the population, the study purposively selected three HEIs based on stated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) mandates drawn from Zimbabwe’s 20 registered public and private universities. Questionnaire-elicited data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists and presented in graphs derived from descriptive statistics to enhance meaning in findings. Findings show the five-fold Doctrine Education 5.0 remains news to HEI students although they passively participate as recipients, reflected in students-as- consumers rather than ‘students-as-partners’ among HEIs and later industry. Without students’ voice as HEI partners, success would be analogous to a maternity centre rating its success based on ‘state of the art equipment’ and high calibre staff without mention of babies delivered as core business therein. The article recommends the reconfiguration of the academic-success matrix to reflect the student-interests involvement, and the industrial perspective as end-line users of HEI graduates. A one-size fits-all approach to academic success is not tenable for HEIs, and their divergent mandates call for differentiated methodological approaches to achieve success. HEIs continue to rate their success in terms of student enrolment figure, infrastructural development at the expense of student-centred success criteria that assesses innovative skills capacity and industrial appraisals post-graduation. The shift to a business approach in higher education has been unmanaged, with telling implications for HEIs visions and stated missions, necessitating change. Consolidating HEI success requires Chief Executive Officers’ whose proven mandate espouses all education 5.0 deliverables, particularly innovation and industrialisation through research and community engagement, except for teaching and learning. Nothing in academia prepares Professors as Vice Chancellors for this task, reducing them to duds as their grasp of the five-fold mandate largely remains superficial. HEIs’ success criteria and students’ involvement continue to reflect education 3.0 scope when they should functionally be operating at 5.0, which is just on paper and tick-a-box-kind-of compliance to satisfy minimum quality assurance expectations. A danger of leaving important stakeholders behind until too late lingers, with potentially telling negative ramifications therefrom for all.

Investigating the Benefits and Barriers of Quality Assurance Management for Adequate Housing Delivery in Nigeria: An Empirical Overview

Abstract Purpose: The process of housing delivery all over the world is confronted by multiple barriers resulting in houses that are short of clients’ expectations in terms of quality and overall standards. The inability of the house builders (contractors) to deliver quality housing normally occurs due to non-conformance to quality assurance principles and non-adherence to the key quality indicators. An assessment of recent developments and actions in the building industry that might help mitigate the identified barriers has been made in this study. Hence, skilful application of quality assurance principles to overcome quality barriers in housing delivery is essential. Methodology: The study has employed quantitative methods of data collection. Closed-ended questionnaires have been prepared and administered to building contractors in Akure, Nigeria. The collected quantitative data have been analysed with the aid of SPSS software, version 27. The results have been accordingly reported to ascertain the level of commitment made by building contractors on ensuring quality in housing delivery in Akure. Findings: Findings have revealed that building contractors are well conversant and knowledgeable about the probable benefits of implementing quality assurance in the housing delivery process. There are, however, obvious challenges and serious barriers that are militating against effective implementation of quality assurance measures in the housing delivery process such as engaging unskilled labour force. Recommendation: The study recommends that a pre-assessment of the workforce be made to establish their level of knowledge and competencies on quality assurance management principles. Originality and value: Creation of “quality assurance consciousness” for the housing industry will result in quality housing delivery to the satisfaction of all end users and the general public.

Medical and legal aspects of the activities of the Committee on the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis

Purpose. To highlight the medical and legal aspects of the activities of the Committee on Management (CM) of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Materials and methods. Analysis of reports on the work of the CM and regulations governing its activities. Results. TB DR remains a problem in many national health services (NHAs). In recent years, in the Republic of Moldova, its share has been about ¼ among all new cases and ½ among all cases of retreatment. In this regard, CM is an important element in the quality assurance system for TB DR management. In 2020, by decision of the CM, 536 patients were included in the TB DR treatment program. In their structure, new patients accounted for 43.5%, patients with relapse - 25.2%, patients after ineffective treatment - 16.4%, and patients from among those previously lost to follow-up - 14.9%. Decisions on the place and mode of chemotherapy, treatment adjustment and assessment of its effectiveness (ET) were made by the CM based on clinical judgment, taking into account the data of DR testing, the history of previous treatment, the severity and localization of TB etc. The above ensured the management of patients according to the recommendations of the National Clinical Protocol and the WHO Consolidated Guidelines for the Treatment of TB DR. The experience of the NHA accumulated in recent years in the use of information and communication technologies (teleconsultations „doctordoctor” etc.) allowed the NCM in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to hold meetings online. Conclusion. CM is an important element in the system of quality assurance of TB DR management, which uses modern medical standards and information technologies in its activities, respects the rights and legitimate interests of patients.

Purpose, Partnership, and Possibilities: The Implementation of the Dog Aging Project Biobank.

Biobanks have been supporting longitudinal prospective and retrospective studies by providing standardized services for the acquisition, transport, processing, storage, and distribution of high-quality biological material and associated data. Here, we describe how the Dog Aging Project (DAP), a large-scale longitudinal study of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) with translational applications for humans, developed a biobank of canine biospecimens and associated data. This was accomplished by working with the Cornell Veterinary Biobank, the first biobank in the world to receive accreditation to ISO 20387:2018-General Requirements for Biobanking. The biobank research team was involved in the early collection stages of the DAP, contributing to the development of appropriate workflows and processing fit-for-purpose biospecimens. In support of a dynamic strategy for real-time adjustment of processes, a pilot phase was implemented to develop, test, and optimize the biospecimen workflows, followed by an early phase of collection, processing, and banking of specimens from DAP participants. During the pilot and early phases of collection, the DAP Biobank stored 164 aliquots of whole blood, 273 aliquots of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 130 aliquots of plasma, and 70 aliquots of serum, and extracted high molecular weight genomic DNA suitable for whole-genome sequencing from 109 whole blood specimens. These specimens, along with their associated preanalytical data, have been made available for distribution to researchers. We discuss the challenges and opportunities encountered during the implementation of the DAP Biobank, along with novel strategies for promoting biobanking sustainability such as partnering with a DAP quality assurance manager and a DAP marketing and communication specialist and developing a pilot grant structure to fund small innovative research projects.

УПРАВЛІННЯ ЯКІСТЮ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ В УКРАЇНІ НА ШЛЯХУ ІНТЕГРАЦІЇ У ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИЙ ПРОСТІР (ДОСВІД ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОГО СОЮЗУ)

Quality assurance and quality management are the main challenges in the management of higher education institutions not only in Ukraine but also in the world in the context of sustainable development and the coronavirus crisis. In this context, the need to promote a culture of quality at university level is becoming increasingly important. The concept of quality culture expands traditional approaches to quality assurance, focusing on aspects of organizational psychology such as shared attitudes and commitment to quality. However, studies of methodological approaches to the problems of quality assurance management in higher education have not been sufficiently reflected in domestic research. That is why, at the present stage, there is an urgent need to study the problems of quality management in higher education at both internal and external levels. The article considers the theoretical foundations of the culture of quality of higher education, its necessity and role in the development of higher education in Ukraine. Conducted research on the experience of EU countries in external evaluation of the quality of higher education. Research of the experience of institutional accreditation in the European Union, because institutional accreditation is currently absent in Ukraine, despite the fact that it is prescribed in the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education". Evaluation and construction of the Gap model, which identified the basic requirements for high-quality educational services based on the identification of contradictions that lead to consumer dissatisfaction with the quality of educational services received, including various contradictions. However, a study of the Ukrainian experience in assessing the quality of educational services allows us to conclude that in most cases a general rating assessment of higher education institutions that provide educational services, rather than the quality of services directly provided by them. And internal quality assurance systems in Ukrainian universities are in the process of formation and need significant development, taking into account the experience of universities in the European Union.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN UKRAINE ON THE WAY OF INTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN EDUCATIONAL AREA

Quality assurance and quality management are the main challenges in the management of higher education institutions not only in Ukraine but also in Europe in the context of sustainable development and the coronavirus crisis. That is why, at the present stage, there is an acute need to study the problems of management in higher education quality ensuring, both internally and externally. For Ukraine, the desire to integrate into the European educational space is topical, but requires the development of new regulations of the European educational environment based on the latest technologies, which ensure the improvement of the quality of educational services with a focus on the interests of higher education applicants. Three possible options for assessing the level of services provided by higher education students have been studied. It was found that, in the vast majority, the expectations of higher education seekers do not coincide with reality. Namely, there are various inconsistencies in ideas and expectations, which are called "gaps". It is determined that the university needs to carry out all measures to implement (integrate) management processes in quality in the strategy of development of higher education. For this purpose, a scheme for integrating the quality management into the strategic control of higher education institutions is proposed. Improving the quality of educational services is possible, including through the introduction of innovations in higher education. These changes will help improve the efficiency of management in the field of higher education, strengthen positions and increase the competitiveness and performance results of universities. With this research we concludes that not all higher education institutions in Ukraine are aware that assessing the quality of educational services is an extremely important aspect on the way to improving the quality of services and increasing the competitiveness of higher education institutions themselves. Diagnosis requires feedback that will allow universities to quickly respond to the assessments of higher education seekers about the received educational services, improve them, make services as attractive as possible for higher education applicants.

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Objective. The purpose of the article is to identify and explore the problems and prospects for the introduction of information technology for automation of accounting in the enterprise. Methods. To achieve this goal, the authors used a systematic approach, methods of analysis, synthesis and comparative legal method. Results. International Financial Reporting Standards require the harmonious operation of the accounting system. To achieve this, the modern Ukrainian accounting system must become automated. This transition will make accounting as efficient as possible and greatly simplify it. The article analyzes the problems and prospects for the introduction of information technology for automation of accounting in the enterprise, namely: blockchain, artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. These programs help solve complex accounting transactions, as well as create online offices with certain centralized repositories of primary and reporting documentation. The introduction of automated accounting also has a number of problems: frequent amendments to the acts establishing standards for reporting, accounting and taxation, quality assurance of risk management and insufficient number of specialists and data transfer to the new system with minimal costs for their introduction. The article offers solutions to these and other problems. The article also emphasizes that the introduction of automated accounting in modern enterprises of Ukraine has prospects and will ensure their further development. Scientific novelty. The author substantiate that accounting automation programs will make accounting more efficient, transparent, reduce its complexity and ensure further development of the enterprise. Practical significance. The proposed programs and ways to avoid possible problems in accounting automation are aimed at supporting the interests of business owners, their employees and the state. Key words: Accounting, automation, information technology, programs, cloud technologies, blockchain, artificial intelligence, technological ways.

Study of the advantages and risks of electronic retail trade in medicines

One of the most important issues of interest to scientists and practitioners of pharmacy is medicines quality assurance at all stages of their life cycle. From 2021 in Ukraine, the retail trade of medicines via the Internet was allowed. The system of electronic (distance) retail trade (ERT) has its obvious advantages for consumers of pharmaceutical services, but also its potential risks for the medicines quality being sold.
 The aim of the study is analysis of legislative innovations on ERT in medicines, determination of advantages and possible problems of ERT in medicines, identification of potential risks to the medicines quality during ERT and determination of organizational and practical measures to prevent and minimize them.
 The research materials were scientific publications, legislative and regulatory acts of Ukraine and the EU, public information of public authorities and pharmaceutical enterprises, data from own observations. The following methods were used in the work: system and content analysis, generalization, systematization, structural-logical, visual-graphic.
 The analysis of sources of scientific and professional literature showed that domestic and foreign scientists have studied the legal, socio-economic and marketing aspects of ERT in medicines. We studied this issue from the standpoint of quality assurance and risk management for the medicines quality.
 The paper provides a system and content analysis of legislative innovations on ERT in medicines, summarizes and systematizes the general and special requirements for the procedure for ERT in medicines, identifies the advantages and possible problems of ERT in medicines. The structural and logical scheme of the ERT in medicines process is developed. It is proposed to use this scheme as a basis for the regulation and documentation of the ERT in medicines process by developing appropriate regulatory and instructional documents (regulations or techniques for performing the process, standard operating procedures, work instructions, etc.).
 According to the research results, the potential risks for the medicines quality in the conditions of ERT are identified and the complex of organizational and practical measures for their prevention and minimization is determined. It is proposed to implement this complex in the overall risk management process for the medicines quality and pharmaceutical services, which should be an integral part of the quality management system of the pharmaceutical enterprise that performs ERT in medicines. These measures should be taken into account when developing standard operating procedures for different stages of ERT in medicines and documentation on risk management for the medicines quality (passports of risk profiles, risk register, risk management plan, etc.).

Review of current incidents and risk calculations used in the Royal College of Australasian Pathologists Key Incident Management and Monitoring Systems - a system that could be used by all Australasian medical laboratories, and easily adapted to worldwide use.

IntroductionThe Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP) Key Incident Monitoring and Management Systems (KIMMS) program has found that some existing Quality Indicators are too broad or not well defined. The risk matrix in use does not allow changes in incident Detection or Probability. In 2020, a review was performed: what issues should KIMMS include as Key Incidents and how could risk measurement be improved?Materials and methodsTwenty-seven networked and stand-alone laboratories enrolled in KIMMS during 2020 were surveyed on 45 current and new indicators of risk in the total testing process. They were asked which indicators they considered were significant in causing patient harm. Existing risk matrices in use by members of the KIMMS Advisory Committee laboratories were reviewed regarding their size or structure (3x3 or 5x5) and the descriptions of consequences and probability.ResultsThirteen participants indicated 21 indicators should be monitored, and the KIMMS Advisory committee added a further 13 (11 from the remaining 24 and 2 new). Of the five risk matrices reviewed, all consistently used a 5x5 matrix to estimate Consequences vs Probability of harm. The KIMMS advisory committee added a third parameter to the calculation of Risk, Detectability.ConclusionAll 34 pre- and post- indicators should be monitored, covering all aspects of the total testing cycle other than analytical. The risk measurement can be improved by introducing a 5x5 risk matrix to evaluate harm (consequences x probability) and then evaluating risk by adding detectability; risk equals harm x detectability.

Quality intervention, supplier performance and buyer–supplier relationships: evidence from the garment industry

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of a buyer-assisted quality intervention on suppliers' quality performance and buyer–supplier relational dynamics in the garment industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a multiple-embedded case study following a qualitative research approach. The study used data from buyer-assisted quality interventions in sewing lines of four garment supplier factories. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews of buyer's representatives at their office and senior managers, line inspectors, supervisors and workers in supplier factories. In addition, data related to product quality was obtained from quality check sheets and observations on the shop floor. Data were analysed using qualitative data analysis techniques.FindingsThis study demonstrates that a buyer-assisted quality intervention improves product quality performance by reducing quality defects in targeted garment products resulting in improved buyer–supplier relationships. Moreover, this study identifies the lack of a systematic approach in quality control as a key reason for poor product quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe study adds knowledge to the literature on quality improvement and buyer–supplier relationships by analysing buyer-assisted quality interventions in the garment industry in Bangladesh. The study demonstrates that buyer's assistance and adopting a systematic approach in quality control can significantly improve product quality in the garment industry.Practical implicationsThis research can help the quality assurance managers in buyer and supplier firms understand the significance of quality interventions and systematic quality control approach to decrease product quality defects and ensure smooth buyer–supplier relationships.Originality/valueThe study adds new knowledge on the link between buyer-assisted quality interventions, systematic quality control and product quality in garments factories in Bangladesh.

Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dan Kinerja Guru terhadap Efektivitas Pelaksanaan Standar Pelayanan Minimal SMP di Kota Sukabumi

Minimum Service Standard (MSS) for the implementation of elementary and secondary education schools is a technical specification as a benchmark of minimum services that must be done by the district / city government in organizing schooling activities in the field of primary and secondary education.A measure of the success of the performance of the national education system is the guarantee of education accountability, one of the indicators is the enactment of an effective quality assurance management system in education to protect the community. The purpose of this study is to find out: 1) The influence of the leadership of the principal on the effectiveness of the implementation of Minimum Service Standards (SPM) of junior high schools in Sukabumi City.2) Influence of teacher performance on the effectiveness of the implementation of Minimum Service Standards (MSS) of junior high schools in Sukabumi City.The method used in this study is quanttif, with the data analysis technique using inferential descriptive statics. The results of the study showed that the principal's leadership variable (X1) directly affects the effectiveness of the implementation of junior high school SPM in Sukabumi City by 4.5%, and indirectly (through teacher performance) by 1.6%.While the influence of teacher performance (X2) on the effectiveness of junior high school implementation in Sukabumi City by 15.4%.Therefore, it can be concluded that 1) There is an influence between the leadership of the principal on the effectiveness of the implementation of junior high school in Sukabumi City.2) There is an influence between the performance of teachers on the effectiveness of the implementation of junior high school in Sukabumi City.3) There is the influence of the principal's leadership and teacher performance together on the effectiveness of the implementation of Minimum Service Standards (MSS) of junior high schools in Sukabumi City.

Modeling global transfusion medicine education.

Modeling global transfusion medicine education.

Access to the Quality Assurance 0f Postgraduate Educational ManagementAt University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The issue of managing the university training process according to the quality assurance approach is important not only for medical universities in Ho Chi Minh city but also with medical universities and higher education in general. That management process must be derived from the theoretical foundations of educational management, school management, higher education management the foundations of psychology, education and related sciences; complying with the general regulations of the education and training sector, of the Ministry of Health, based on the specific conditions of the medical universities in the area. Bearing this in mind, the study investigated the characteristics of postgraduate medical training activities and the status of postgraduate training management. A survey of 103 administrators, lecturers, technicians, who are currently working and teaching at Medical University was conducted. All responses were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results showed that the characteristics of evaluating the postgraduate training activities at Medical University in Ho Chi Minh city were greatly comprehensive and the current situations of quality assurance management at Medical University in Ho Chi Minh City were evaluated as satisfactory. Based on the results, the study suggests some recommendations for improving the quality assurance management for postgraduate training at Medical Universities in Ho Chi Minh city.

COVID-19 Electronic Registry Systems in Iran: A Review

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran, several electronic registration systems have been created to record the data of infected patients. This narrative review aimed to investigate the articles that described the COVID-19 electronic registry systems designed and implemented in Iran. Methods: In this review, four electronic databases [Medline (accessed from PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science] were searched till June 22, 2020, using specific MeSH terms and related keywords in English language. Considering the titles and abstracts, unrelated studies were excluded. The full texts of the remained studies were evaluated by authors, independently. Then, their findings were assessed and reported. Results: Finally, four articles were enrolled, introducing four COVID-19 registries. These registries were designed and launched by Isfahan, Shiraz, Tehran, and Ilam Universities of Medical Sciences. They were different in design, the used algorithms for patients’ management, recorded data, and methods of quality assurance. Conclusion: Considering the differences between various registry systems designed for COVID-19 in Iran, it is recommended to develop a single web-based registry system by the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education to register and follow up the patients with COVID-19.

CADBLOS: Android–based UML-centric design approach to campus-drive bus locator system

The delay; lack of flexibility, convenience and uncertainty associated in bus services in university of Calabar, Nigeria necessitated the development an Android-Based Bus Tracking System, otherwise called CADBLOS, using the UML-Centric design approach, to enhance bus service system within the campus communities, using University of Calabar, Nigeria, as a case study. Software systems are continually expanding in volume and complexity, and without efficient modeling proficiency in architectural modeling and design, developers cannot be successful. These proficiencies are the imperatives to produce quality projects and products, which are far most graded superior to programming, Quality Assurance, and other requirements management. Since modeling is the core of development and UML is the de facto standard as the modeling notation, UML (Unified Modeling Language), was adopted to provide the behavioural and structural representation of the CADBLOS software artifacts. We adopted a hybrid of the Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM) and Object Oriented Methodology to design the CADBLOS, a mobile Based Bus Locator System using android application. The prototype system was developed using the underlining technology of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the communication services provided by the Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM). The Global Positioning System (GPS) was the main technology that is implemented behind the system. A prototype of the system developed has been tested and implemented. After all modules integration, the system is able to provide its basic function of locating buses on real time and reduce workload associated with accessing web-based bus location facilities.

Quality, Safety, and Standards Organizations COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs.

The stark reality of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the very systems established to ensure the nation’s safety and quality. The pandemic resurfaced long-endemic challenges within the health care quality and standards ecosystem and identified novel challenges that cannot be ignored. This paper examines: 1. the health care quality and standards ecosystem pre-pandemic; 2. vulnerabilities in quality and standards organizations exposed by COVID-19; 3. quality and standards organizations’ responses during the pandemic; 4. opportunities to improve the national response to improving quality and safety overall with a particular focus on readiness in the case of disasters, pandemics, or other national emergencies; 5. sector-wide policy, regulatory, and legal changes that might be transformative; and 6. priorities moving forward. The quality and safety focus of the American health care system has a long history, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Quality of care is generally understood as providing the right care for the right person at the right time—every time. Several seminal laws and publications over the last 60 years have shaped the current quality landscape in profound ways and have been cataloged in numerous publications [1,2,3,4]. These publications generally point to several landmark occurrences that have shaped the evolution of quality measurement, improvement activities, and safety standards over the years. The evolution has centered around four main levers (see Figure 1): Open in a separate window FIGURE 1 Key Levers for Care Quality and Safety 1. survey, certification, and accreditation of facilities, laboratories, health plans, and providers; 2. quality measurement, incentives, and payment reforms; 3. public ratings of providers and facilities; and 4. quality improvement learning and action networks. Survey, Certification, and Accreditation The role of government in establishing quality and safety standards for the health care system became prominent with the implementation of the 1965 Medicare legislation, in which Congress explicitly tied payment to the achievement of minimum health and safety standards, commonly known as conditions of participation (CoPs). Initially, the CoPs focused on medical staff qualifications, nursing services, and utilization review, but have since evolved to include minimum standards for various other important safety issues, including infection control, emergency preparedness, quality assurance, performance improvement, and medication management. States also established health and safety requirements for facility licensure. State standards for health and safety must, at a minimum, align with the CoPs but may go above and beyond the federal requirements. While the state government and federal surveyors perform inspections for many facilities (primarily nursing homes), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved several national accreditation organizations (AOs) to perform survey functions [5]. One of the largest AOs is the Joint Commission. Founded in 1951, the “Joint Commission accreditation can be earned by many types of health care organizations, including hospitals, doctor’s [sic] offices, nursing homes, office-based surgery centers, behavioral health treatment facilities, and providers of home care services” [65]. In 1990, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) was established as a nonprofit organization that accredits quality programs for health plans, physicians, and other providers. NCQA developed the first set of standards for health plan quality using a set of evidence-based requirements and measurements.

Quality assessment of guidelines on upper gastrointestinal cancer screening

Objective: To systematically evaluate the methodological quality of screening guidelines for upper gastrointestinal cancer (including esophageal cancer and gastric cancer) both at home and abroad, and provide reference for the update of upper gastrointestinal cancer screening guidelines in China. Methods: Original articles and grey literature published as of 31th Aug 2020 were retrieved using Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Database and China Guideline Clearinghouse), PubMed, The Cochrane Library and Embase, as well as those from International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Guide Collaboration Network. The inclusion criteria were being independent guidelines/recommendation documents for upper gastrointestinal cancer screening and meeting the definition of the institute of Medicine, USA. The exclusion criteria were being guideline abstracts, interpretation and evaluation literature, duplicate publications, updated original guidelines, and clinical treatment or practice guidelines for esophageal or gastric cancer. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE Ⅱ) and Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) were used to compare and evaluate the quality and reporting standard of esophageal or gastric cancer screening guidelines. Results: A total of 6 esophageal cancer screening guidelines and 5 gastric cancer screening guidelines were included. The results of the AGREE Ⅱ quality evaluation showed that the overall quality of eleven guidelines varied, including two guidelines recommended for "A", one for "B", five for "C" and three for "D". The guidelines had higher scores in the areas of scope and purpose, and clarity. The esophageal cancer screening guidelines had different scores in the areas of rigor and independence. The gastric cancer screening guidelines generally had low scores in the areas of participants and application. The RIGHT evaluation results showed that the quality of eleven guidelines should be improved. The six items with poor report quality were background, evidence, recommendations, review and quality assurance, funding and conflict of interest statement and management and others. Conclusion: The quality of the included upper gastrointestinal cancer screening guidelines is general, and the standardization needs to be strengthened.

Evaluation of quality assurance instruments in higher education institutions: A case of Oman

The use of a variety of instruments for quality assurance, management, and enhancement in higher education is well recognized. This article investigated the instruClose Panelments used by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Oman to measure, control, and manage the quality of their services in alignment with the standards set by Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA). Quality Assurance Managers (QAMs) from five HEIs were interviewed to identify the instruments used by them to fulfil the requirements of each standard and the way they make use of the data gathered by using these instruments. Findings from the study reveal that questionnaires and meetings are the most common instruments used by these institutions to measure, control and assure the efficacy of their current quality activities. In addition, HEIs use summary statistics to analyse data and then present them in meetings or through reports. On the other hand, it was found that substantial efforts are made to collect data but the efficient usage of data is missing. The QAMs reported a lack of awareness among the staff on the importance of collecting data since the staff members believe that these data are collected for documentation purposes only. This study emphasizes the importance of using the data gathered from different instruments in decision making and enhancing the quality of HEIs.

A quality evaluation of the clinical practice guidelines on breast cancer using the RIGHT checklist.

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in women. The methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on breast cancer has been shown to be heterogeneous. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of breast cancer CPGs published in years 2018-2020, using the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) checklist.MethodsWe searched Medline (via PubMed), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Chinese Biomedical Literature (CBM) as well as websites of guideline organizations for CPGs on breast cancer published between 2018 and 2020. We used the RIGHT checklist to evaluate the reporting quality of the included guidelines by assessing whether the CPGs adhered to each item of the checklist and calculated the proportions of appropriately reported RIGHT checklist items. We also presented the adherence reporting rates for each guideline and the mean rates for each of the seven domains of the RIGHT checklist.ResultsA total of 45 guidelines were included. Eighteen (40.0%) guidelines had an overall reporting rate below 50% and only three (6.7%) reported more than 80% of the items. The domains “Basic information” and “Background” had the highest reporting rates (75.9% and 62.5%, respectively). The mean reporting rates of the domains “Evidence”, “Recommendation”, “Review and quality assurance”, “Funding and declaration and management of interests” and “Other information” were 42.7%, 53.0%, 33.3%, 45.0%, and 44.4%, respectively.ConclusionsThe reporting quality varied among guidelines for breast cancer, showing the need for improvement in reporting the contents. Guideline developers should pay more attention to reporting the evidence, review and quality assurance, and funding and declaration and management of interests in future.