Honduran Nursing Experiences concerning Total Quality Management

Abstract

Introduction: Total quality management is a revolutionary managerial model adopted by organizations to achieve sustainable outcomes in improvement plans with a focus on user satisfaction. However, there are no records on the application of the model from the nursing perspective in the Latin-American context.

Objective: To explore the experiences of nursing professionals in relation to total quality management at a public hospital in Honduras.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using a grounded theory design following Strauss and Corbin's perspective. Individual semistructured interviews were applied to 20 nursing professionals of the Hospital Escuela Universitario de Honduras, with a theoretical sampling in the second semester of 2021. The data analysis was carried out with the constant comparison technique divided into three phases: open, selective and axial coding. For the rigor of the qualitative study, the principles of Sandelowski and Beck were followed.

Results: Five categories, 11 subcategories and 27 concepts were found. Among the strengths of the model stand out evidence-based nursing management and the focus on humanized treatment of the user.

Conclusions: Nursing, in the Honduran context, applies, within its management activities, the principles of total quality focused on humanized care and user satisfaction, as well as the empowerment of human resources with the development of competences according to improvement plans, designed from the findings of interviews with users and the biannual application of quantitative measurement instruments.