Having a Quality Management System in Nigeria a company has proven to be a crucial factor in increasing productivity and profitability. A quality management system is a systematic approach to delivering quality products and services. Its main objective is to achieve and maintain high quality standards in all processes and systems. It also provides a set of procedures and tools for addressing quality problems in an organization. In addition, it helps companies improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Background
Despite its existence, the background of quality management system in Nigeria has not been well documented. However, there are a number of studies that have covered many aspects of the Nigerian health care system. In this study, the background of quality management system in Nigeria is examined and its significance to the Nigerian healthcare sector is determined.
A cross sectional analytical study was conducted in five Southern Nigerian States. The study was aimed at comparing the quality of services provided by public and private health facilities in the region.
The study consisted of a comprehensive literature review. It involved three phases. The first phase entailed a search for relevant articles on the topic in various databases. The second phase included a backward reference search. The results of the search were filtered to return only those articles that were relevant to the study.
Evolution
Historically, the evolution of quality management systems has been complex. It has evolved to address the needs of customers and to meet the requirements of regulatory bodies.
A cross-functional approach to quality management has increased collaboration and team-based problem solving. This approach can lead to industry standards and helps organizations to achieve consistent performance. The concept of continual improvement is at the heart of the ISO 9001 standard.
In the post-war economic boom, consumers gained power. Companies had to design products and services that satisfied customers. The economy also became more competitive, with Japan surpassing the United States in automobile manufacturing.
In the twentieth century, labor inputs became the most expensive. During this period, Henry Ford created the first affordable automobile. Meanwhile, Eli Whitney popularized the assembly line, and Henry Ford perfected his ideas of standardization.
Future of ISO 9001
Using regression analysis, the authors tested the relationship between ISO 9001 and business performance. They found that there was a direct correlation between the quality management system and operational performance. Moreover, there was a significant trend between positive bottom line results and organizations with an ISO 9001 certification.
The quality management system was also shown to be related to business performance in industries from Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, and Pakistan. However, these companies did not experience the same effects as other countries.
In addition, the authors identified employee resistance to change and lack of qualified personnel as two major obstacles to ISO 9001 implementation. The authors also observed that companies did not carry out an adequate internal audit.
Challenges in developing a quality management system in Nigeria
Developing a quality management system in Nigeria requires a lot of work. This includes collecting and documenting the business processes, resources, organizational goals, and information. It is also required to ensure that the processes meet customer requirements. The main objective is to ensure that all these elements are well implemented and the organization achieves consistent performance.
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a specialized set of rules and procedures that allow an organization to meet statutory and customer requirements. The QMS should be able to provide the organization with a structure that ensures consistency of performance, enhances customer satisfaction, and improves the organization’s competitive position in the market. It should also be able to demonstrate a commitment to continual improvement.
Healthcare quality management system self-assessment based on a maturity model
Using a maturity model, the study aimed to explore the relationship between the organizational maturity of hospitals and the status of quality management systems implementation. The results revealed no significant difference in organizational maturity between hospitals in the different levels of implementation of quality management systems.
The maturity model was developed by five South African provincial departments of health. It was designed based on 14 principles of lean management and Shingo and 4P models. The validity and feasibility of the model was tested by conducting a series of workshops and by involving various stakeholders. The model was subsequently refined through an iterative process, based on input from the stakeholders.
The maturity model comprises five domains that provide a comprehensive view of telemedicine services. Each domain is defined by a set of maturity capability statements.
