Achieving quality management through organizational values.

Abstract

By focusing on its mission values, a hospital can enhance the quality of patient care, improve staff morale, promote cost effectiveness and achieve a competitive advantage in the hospital market place. Since 1986, St Vincent's Private Hospital has implemented strategies and formed task forces to clarify and apply its values to the hospital's overall direction and the everyday work setting. This work has proved that a concentration on the hospital's mission can result in quality management and can benefit both the hospital's basic 'spirit' and its bottom line. Eight guiding principles were found to be essential in achieving quality management through organizational values.