Bureaucratic control mechanisms and the implementation of quality improvement programmes in home health agencies
by Diane Brannon, Kathryn H. Dansky
International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management (IJHTM), Vol. 3, No. 2/3/4, 2001

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between structural characteristics of home health agencies and the adoption of continuous quality improvement (CQI) technology. Home health services are the fastest growing component of the US healthcare system. Concerns regarding quality management derive from the remote service delivery modality and the heavy reliance on paraprofessional staff. Results of a survey of 361 agency directors indicate that, in contrast to observations in the hospital industry, the implementation of CQI in home healthcare is facilitated by increased formalisation and standardisation of work processes. These bureaucratic mechanisms may provide requisite structural integrity for adoption of inherently decentralising CQI programmes.

Online publication date: Mon, 30-Jun-2003

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management (IJHTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com