ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN OROMIA

Abstract

This research was mainly set out with general purpose of the research to assess the quality management practices and major quality management challenges in hospital construction projects in Oromia. To achieve its objective, the study employed descriptive research and both primary and secondary data were used. Questionnaires, interview, and document review were, therefore, used as data collection tools. Furthermore, it employed purposive sampling techniques. The survey questionnaire was designed based on the literature and on the information collected through the document review of the project. The survey questionnaire was distributed to 66 project implementation team members who were selected purposively among them 58 responded, which represented a response rate of 87.8%. The data gathered through the questionnaire was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The generated data was analyzed using tables, frequency and percentage approaches. The result of the study indicated that ORHB employed all stages of quality management process even though some of the processes are overlooked. Inspection and statistical sampling are found to be the major quality management tools and techniques used to control quality of project. Qualified and experiences personnel, quality of materials and equipment used in the project construction and conformance to specification are identified as the top three factors in the determinant of the quality of primary hospital construction projects. In the study it is examined that various quality assurance measures were taken starting from defining project objectives and to monitoring and the tasks that were carried out mostly in weekly, monthly, quarterly monitoring at specified level with management members involvement. It was also identified that some barriers of quality management; inadequate management support, problems with contractors, unrealistic deadline, lack of quality management policy and strategy were the major once. The study also recommended that ORHB to have separate quality management policy in order to undertake complete project quality management process, enhance management involvement, capacity building on project management skills for effective implementation of primary hospital construction.