I so much liked the "comment" that Stacy made to two previous postings of mine (Totally Inadequate Context for Total Quality Improvement, on Sunday, March 9, '03) and (TQM without Context) that I am sharing it here:

I like the way this model includes all of the six aims. It shows us that there is not one approach that will help you achieve all six.

Decidely TQM, CQI, SPC have there place. I think that where many of the mistakes were made was in trying to apply these tools to every area of health care. There are definately somethings that are done in healthcare that ARE assembly line type tasks. In those areas the PRINCIPLES given in those methodologies can work and they can work well.

The basis for the success of ANY solutions many times points to the ASSUMPTIONS made while in the solution generation process.

The front end work on change has proven to be where your success is determined. I've seen it in manufacturing processes on the line, in operations in industry, and now in a clinical setting. If the foundation is laid right, you have something to build on. If the foundation is rushed, not set before you begin to build, you can build the best tower and it will fall - guaranteed.

So how do we lay the proper foundation? I agree that the appreciative approach is very effective. I have been amazed at the transformation that is possible in an organization without even 'doing' anything. Just simply by generating the right conversations. It shows that we need to be thoughtful with every word. We are intervening, whether we believe we are or not, with every word we speak.

12:18:50 PM     comment []   Google It!  

Jim Reinertsen has added his voice to Whatcom Pursuing Perfection. Please read his thoughts. Jim is an innovative leader, a physician, and passionately committed to helping US health care deliver on our stated and our unstated promises to patients and he is committed to the wellbeing of the caregivers and leaders as well. Please welcome him in the "comments" as you read his posts. Jim Reinertsen's Weblog.

Here is my welcoming "comment":

Jim, it is great to have your perspective and to add you as a thought partner as we learn how to shift from being a federation, through being a club, to being a team. Much of this journey will involve truly coming to believe that our fates are common, we succeed or we fail as one. That is distinctly not the common image of health care. A naive belief in a naive form of competition will lead us all over a cliff and into the sea.

12:05:49 PM     comment []   Google It!