Research on quality management system design for hospitals

Increasing assessment schemes have been used by health care organizations to build a quality management system (QMS). These schemes provide a system approach, which encompasses frameworks, varieties of awards criteria or standards and control strategies to ensure the health care quality and safety. The focus of this study is on the comparison of existing QMSs from mainstream hospital assessment schemes. Firstly QMSs in mainstream organizational quality assessment schemes are discussed. Then the authors analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each QMS and further explore the state of health care QMSs in China. Finally suggestions for the QMS design in Chinese health care organizations are given.