The introduction of a quality assurance programme into hospitals in Israel. A concerted action programme on quality assurance (COMAC) in Israeli hospitals (1990-1993).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the introduction of the COMAC Quality Assurance Programme into hospitals in Israel.

DESIGN

Outline of the programme in general, and in Israel in particular, and description of the experience of implementing and evaluating the programme.

SETTING

Sixteen general hospitals on a local level and the country coordinating team on a national level, during 28 months (March 1991 to June 1993).

RESULTS

Fourteen hospitals, out of the 16 (or 87%) completed all the programme's phases. In most of these 14 hospitals there occurred an improvement in the quality assurance infrastructure (in general, and in the addressed topics in particular), an increase in committees designed to exert a monitoring function related to the quality of care and the acquisition of competence for the performance of quality assurance activities.

CONCLUSION

The COMAC programme had a meaningful impact on Israeli hospitals participating in it.