| 1: The FOCUS-PDCA model
Find a process to improve
Organise a total quality management team
select team members
team building
Clarify laboratory test-requesting process
flow charts of test-requesting process
identify problems
customer requirements
Uncover causes of poor quality test use
causes of variation
collect data
Select process improvement
determine proposed improvements
prioritise
Plan process improvement
develop improvement strategies
education and training development
Do the improvement
pilot test
implement strategies
collect and analyse data
Check results
check lessons learnt
determine how effort could be improved
Act to hold the gain
standardise procedures
establish monitoring and feedback processes
plan continuous improvement
©MJA 1998
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