A study on Ishikawa’s original basic tools of quality control in healthcare
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Date
2022-08-30Author
McDermott, Olivia
Antony, Jiju
Sony, Michael
Rosa, Angelo
Hickey, Mary
Ann Grant, Tara
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McDermott, Olivia, Antony, Jiju, Sony, Michael, Rosa, Angelo, Hickey, Mary, & Grant, Tara Ann. (2023). A study on Ishikawa’s original basic tools of quality control in healthcare. The TQM Journal, 35(7), 1686-1705. doi:10.1108/TQM-06-2022-0187
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Abstract
The main objective of this study is to investigate Ishikawa¿s statement that ¿95% of problems in processes can be accomplished using the 7 Quality Control (QC) tools¿ and explore its validity within the healthcare sector. The study will analyse the usage of the 7 QC tools in the healthcare service sector and the benefits, challenges, and critical success factors for the application of the 7 QC tools in this sector.
Design/methodology/approach ¿ In order to evaluate Ishikawa¿s statement and how valid his statement is for the healthcare sector, an online survey instrument was developed, and data collection was performed utilizing a stratified random sampling strategy. The main strata/clusters were formed by healthcare professionals working in all aspects of healthcare organisations and functions. A total of 168 participants from European healthcare facilities responded to the survey.
Findings ¿ The main finding of this study is that 62% of respondents were trained in the 7 QC tools. Only 3% of participants in the healthcare sector perceived that the seven tools of QC can solve above 90% of quality problems as originally claimed by Dr Ishikawa. Another relevant finding presented in this paper is that Histograms, Cause & Effect diagrams and check sheets are the most used tools in the healthcare sector. The least used tools are Stratification and Scatter diagrams. This paper also revealed that the 7 QC tools proposed by Dr. Ishikawa were most used in hospital wards and in administration functions. This work also presents a list of Critical Success Factors required for the proper application of the 7 QC tools in Healthcare.