Customer focus level following implementation of quality improvement model in Tehran social security hospitals

Abstract

Purpose

The key factor for the success of total quality management programs in an organization is focusing on the customer. The purpose of this paper is to assess customer focus level following implementation of a quality improvement model in social security hospitals in Tehran Province.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was descriptive‐comparative in nature. The study population consisted of the implementers of quality improvement model in four Tehran social security hospitals. The data were gathered through a checklist addressing customer knowledge and customer satisfaction.

Findings

The research findings indicated that the average scores on customer knowledge in Shahriar, Alborz, Milad, and Varamin hospitals were 64.1, 61.2, 54.1, and 46.6, respectively. The average scores on customer satisfaction in Shahriar, Alborz, Milad, and Varamin hospitals were 67.7, 65, 59.4, and 50, respectively. The customer focus average scores in Shahriar, Alborz, Milad, and Varamin hospitals were 66.3, 63.3, 57.3, and 48.6, respectively. The total average scores on customer knowledge, satisfaction and customer focus in the investigated hospitals proved to be 56.4, 60.5, and 58.9, respectively.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in showing that implementation of the quality improvement model could considerably improve customer focus level.

Citation

Mehrabi, F., Nasiripour, A. and Delgoshaei, B. (2008), "Customer focus level following implementation of quality improvement model in Tehran social security hospitals", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 21 No. 6, pp. 562-568. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860810900718