short runs

Quality Progress, April, 2006 by Anonymous

THE QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT INSTITUTE has issued a call for papers for its 18th symposium scheduled for Dec. 2 in Austin, TX. Paper proposals related to both completed projects and those still in progress will be considered up until May 31. For details, go to www.qfdi.org/call_for_papers.htm.>ALKA JARVIS IS THE NEW CHAIR of the U.S. technical advisory group (TAG) to technical committee (TC) 176 on quality management and quality assurance. The TAG represents U.S. interests in the development of the ISO 9000 series of standards, which is being revised for a 2008 release. Jarvis is the manager of corporate quality at Cisco Systems in San Jose, CA. She succeeds Jack West, who chaired the group for nine years. For more information on the U.S. TAG to TC 176, go to http://standardsgroup.asq.org/quality-management/ tc176/index.html.

THE W. EDWARDS DEMING INSTITUTE will conduct a theory and practice seminar April 24-26 in Boston. The focus will be on how organizations can prevent faulty management and corporate governance practices that create most quality, cost and competitive problems. For information, go to http://deming.org/calendar/ twoandhalfdayseminarapril2006.html.

THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY ACTION GROUP (AIAG) will run side-by-side conferences with Quality Expo Detroit, June 7-8 in Novi, Ml. Quality Expo Detroit features supplier displays of inspection, test and measurement equipment, along with workshops covering quality management systems, statistical process control, Six Sigma and lean. The first AIAG Best Practices Summit will feature three session tracks: product lifecycle management, quality and global metrology. For more information on Quality Expo Detroit, go to www.qualitydetroit.com or call 800-840-5688. For details on the AIAG Best Practices Summit, go to www.aiag.org or call 248-358-3003.

THE AMERICAN HEALTH QUALITY ASSOCIATION (AHQA) recently released new standards for its member quality improvement organizations (QIOs). AHQA member QIOs are consulting groups that help Medicare recipients and care providers receive and deliver appropriate healthcare services and reduce medical errors. The standards address QIO board and executive compensation, board diversity and independence, travel expenses and procedures to prevent and mitigate conflicts of interest. For more information, go to www.ahqa.org.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST) is slated to receive $581 million for laboratory research and facility upgrades under President Bush's American Competitiveness Initiative, according to the fiscal year 2007 budget request Bush submitted to Congress. The NIST budget is divided into three appropriations: scientific and technical research and services ($467 million), construction of research facilities ($68 million) and industrial technology services ($46.3 million). NIST is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, go to www.nist.gov/public_affairs/budget.htm.>THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS (JCAHO) and the National Quality Forum are accepting applications for the 2006 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards. The awards recognize individuals and healthcare organizations that are significantly improving patient safety and quality. Nomination forms are available at www.jcaho.org and www.qualityforum.org or from JCAHO's customer service center, 630-792-5800. The deadline for nominations is May 1.