ABSTRACT
Total Quality Management (TQM), which focuses on the needs and expectations of customers and the continuous improvement of the product, applies as well to radiology as it has to many Fortune 500 industries. By adopting the principles of TQM, other industrial organizations have reduced operating expenses while improving consumer satisfaction and company profitability. TQM is a structured, systematic approach in which all employees are utilized as a source of ideas in order to continuously improve processes, services, and products. The need for quality products and services has existed since the beginning of civilization. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, however, quality controls were implemented either by consumer inspection of goods or by the artisan’s concept of what the consumer wants and the desire to maintain his reputation. The implementation of Quality Assurance in the healthcare industry over the past decade was an important step in reinforcing standards of care, where standards had previously been loosely applied.
