Total quality management and performance in substance abuse treatment centers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of organizational characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers with their use of quality management practices (total quality management [TQM]) and the contribution of TQM use to a center's provision of comprehensive care and to use of evidence-based treatment practices. DATA SOURCES: Data were collected from a national sample of over 700 private and public substance abuse treatment centers in the National Treatment Center Study. STUDY
DESIGN: The design was a cross-sectional field study. The key variables were three TQM practices, the provision of comprehensive treatment services, and the implementation of evidence-based treatment practices. Numerous organizational characteristics were controlled. DATA COLLECTION: The data were obtained through interviews with administrative directors and clinical directors of the treatment centers in 2002-2004. PRINCIPAL
FINDINGS: In multivariate models, TQM practices were positively related to provision of comprehensive care and use of evidence-based practices. A limited set of organizational characteristics predicted the use of TQM practices.
CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse treatment centers' implementation of TQM processes may be positively related to the quality and cost-effectiveness of care provided. © Health Research and Educational Trust.