Initiating regional quality management.

In June 1999, the Eastern Regional Health Board began to structure a regional quality management program that included quality, satisfaction and risk management initiatives. A regional plan for our two programs (Addiction Services and Public Health) and nine acute care facilities was needed. All had internal quality programs in place, at varying levels of maturity. Synthesis into a regional quality management plan was required. This article describes how one region planned and implemented this task over 10 months. Suggestions are included relating to required resources, a workable timeline and a communication strategy.