The Presence of Total Quality Management and Continuous Quality Improvement Processes in California Public Health Clinics

Total quality management (TQM) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes have not been fully integrated into public health practice. Current levels of participation and interest in TQM/CQI were assessed in California's 62 county departments of health services. Survey results indicated that only 18.5 percent of the 54 respondents were using TQM/CQI. Of those not using TQM/CQI 75 percent were interested in these activities. Improvement of public health clinic ability to compete and to survive in a rapidly changing health care environment requires fostering this interest through public health decision-maker support, increased TQM/CQI training opportunities, and demonstration of TQM/CQI cost-effectiveness in public health.