Ongoing Improvements (ongoing + improvement)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


,Learning hospitals' and quality

KNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 4 2003
Anastasius Moumtzoglou
In the next generation of management thinking, we must go beyond TQM and on to Deming's theory of profound knowledge, much of which is embodied in the field of organizational learning and in particular, in Senge's ,Fifth Discipline' or systems thinking. In this framework there is no explicit mention of quality but the goal is still a process of ongoing improvement, that is, quality is implicitly treated. Hospitals are thought to be pretty complex organizations to implement Senge's theory because they are hierarchical, skills intensive and most health care workers deal with their emotions, patient's emotions, doctor's emotions and fellow employee's emotions in highly intense situations. However, Senge's five ,component technologies' provide an excellent framework to begin with. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Visualising Liquid Water in PEM Fuel Cells Using Neutron Imaging,

FUEL CELLS, Issue 5 2009
R. Mukundan
Abstract In this article, we review the neutron imaging techniques that have been used to visualise liquid water in PEM fuel cells. A list of the various facilities engaged in this research is provided and the published literature in this field reviewed. Neutron imaging has been successfully used to visualise water dynamics in the flow channels of operating fuel cells. This technique has also been used to understand water removal mechanisms and the importance of membrane hydration and GDL flooding to optimal fuel cell performance. More recently this technique has been applied to imaging the water in fuel cell cross-sections in order to quantify the water contents in the different components of an operating fuel cell. Finally, this technique has also been utilised to examine ice formation during sub-zero operation of single fuel cells. With ongoing improvements in spatial and temporal resolution, neutron imaging can be expected to play a greater role in any fuel cell development related to water transport. [source]


Measurement Bias in the HICP: What do we know and What do we need to know?

JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 1 2004
Mark A. Wynne
Abstract. The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is the primary measure of inflation in the euro area, and plays a central role in the policy deliberations of the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB defines its Treaty mandate of price stability as ,, a year-on-year increase in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for the euro area of below 2%[,] to be maintained over the medium term.' Among the rationales given for defining price stability as prevailing at some positive measured inflation rate is the possibility that the HICP as published incorporates measurement errors of one sort or another that may cause it to systematically overstate the true rate of inflation in the euro area. This paper reviews what currently is known about the scope of measurement error in the HICP. We conclude that given the vague conceptual framework of the HICP, the scant research on price measurement issues in the EU and the ongoing improvements in the HICP, there is very little scientific basis at this time for a point (or even an interval) estimate of a positive bias in the HICP. [source]


Evaluation of a community mental health carepath for early psychosis

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2006
Laura A. Hanson PhD RPsych
Abstract Purpose, To implement a carepath for early psychosis across all community mental health centres through the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme in the Fraser South Area of British Columbia, Canada. Methods, Prior to developing the carepath, chart reviews and interviews were performed to assess for adherence to published guidelines for early psychosis intervention. This assessment revealed the inadequacies of narrative recording and that core psychosocial interventions were inconsistently provided. The carepath developed included prompts for interventions and standardized assessments and ultimately replaced the charting system used in the mental health centres for early psychosis clients. Results and conclusions One-year evaluation revealed some improvements in clinical practice but also identified other areas that require further improvement. This project demonstrated that it is possible to successfully implement a carepath in community mental health and that doing so provides a standardized method for ongoing improvements in care. [source]


Food regulation and trade under the WTO: ten years in perspective

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2007
David Orden
World Trade Organization; technical barriers; sanitary and phytosanitary regulations Abstract This article reviews the performance of the World Trade Organization in the oversight of national regulatory decisions affecting agricultural and food trade. A picture emerges of modest international disciplines on the regulatory decisions of sovereign nations and the need for ongoing improvements. A road map to regulations is presented and empirical assessments of the effects of technical regulation on trade are reviewed. Conflicts over sanitary and phytosanitary barriers raised in the relevant World Trade Organization committee are summarized and formal dispute settlement cases involving technical trade barriers are evaluated. Drawing on these reviews, suggestions are made for improving international food regulation. [source]


Total System Reliability: Integrated Model for Growth and Test Termination

QUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2005
John Donovan
Abstract Reliability demonstration testing is not the most efficient method of assuring product reliability prior to shipment. It is costly, time consuming and has inherent technical and social limitations. The dilemma facing the reliability and quality engineer is whether to continue demonstration testing and risk shipping a product late or ship the product and risk warranty and field service returns. Either option can cause the company to lose significant market share and profit. This paper sets out to solve this dilemma by meeting both the time to market constraints and the product reliability goals. The weaknesses of existing reliability demonstration techniques are explored and a comprehensive methodology is introduced involving controlled development processes, stress testing, root cause determination and process change feedback mechanisms. All prototype products are manufactured on the final volume process line resulting in the early identification and correction of process-related problems. Testing commences on the first available prototypes with system stress/robust testing being employed to stimulate failures, determine their root cause and correct them. Reliability growth modelling assesses the ongoing improvements occurring in reliability during the development cycle, while a statistical stopping rule is used to determine the optimal product release time without risking product warranty. The approach is applicable to systems incorporating both hardware and software elements. The methodology has been validated on three development projects of telecommunication systems comprising hardware and software. In addition to enhancing team behaviour and performance, the development times have been reduced by 14% and the ramp-up time to full worldwide product shipments has been reduced by 50%. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]