TQM/CQI in business and health care. An overview.

TQM/CQI is increasingly being used by U.S. companies and the health care industry to improve their operations and profitability. TQM/CQI can be used by occupational health nurses to help focus efforts to improve their health services and demonstrate their value. TQM/CQI also is used by businesses to improve the quality and cost of external health services. Occupational health nurses who are knowledgeable in TQM/CQI can help assure the quality of external health services as businesses strive to reduce rising health care costs.