A model for the development and implementation of a quality assurance programme in a long term care facility.

: This approach to quality assurance has been successful because of the commitment to the programme by the staff and the assignment of each component function to individuals on staff. Staff assigned are senior staff who hold other positions in the Centre. Because each component is interrelated, the co-ordinator of each function must work with all other co-ordinators. This has proven to be of value in further developing organisational cohesiveness. The overall time required to implement the programme depended on the individual facility and ranged from six months to three years. However, it must be noted that implementation is never completed since the system generates new ideas and innovative approaches to providing care. The components of quality assurance have been in practice for a long time in health care facilities. Each day that managers go to work they set standards for resident care and services. There have been unwritten expectations of staff performance against these standards. What has been required is a systematic and objective methodology to co-ordinate and document all evaluation efforts.