[Quality management in hospital departments. References for implementation and basic requirements].

Every hospital department has to install a basic quality management system within the next years. This is necessary for two reasons: The legal regulations and the introduction of a payment system based on diagnosis related groups. The very first beginning often is the hardest part of quality assessment work. This paper shows how to start with TQM everywhere--without inadequate expense and by own means. Basis for this is the identification of a couple of important targets, procedures and risks at the pit face. Further developments and the political background is outlined.