|
WHAT IF 99.9% WAS ‘GOOD ENOUGH’…
We have to bear in mind that if we do not continually discover better ways to deliver our services, our competitors definitely will. In order to achieve our objectives and targets we need to be committed in the true sense of the word to our prescribed QMS, and not just ‘involved’. The difference between commitment and involvement can be described as bacon and eggs? The pig is committed but the hen is involved. Thus, 99.9% is not good enough only 100% commitment will suffice. If 99.9% was good enough, then:
- 12 babies will be given to the wrong parents every day
- 703 airplane crashes annually
- 107 incorrect medical procedures would be performed every day
- 2 million documents will be lost by SARS this year
- As many as 268 500 defective tyres will be shipped this year
- In the next 55 minutes 22 000 cheques will be deducted from the wrong bank account
- 114 500 mismatched shoes will be shipped each quarter
- 291 pacemaker operations will be performed incorrectly this year
- 5 patients will have the wrong leg amputated
- 880 000 credit cards will be produced with the incorrect magnetic strips
THE NOSA AUDITING QMS STATUS AND PROCESS
The QMS consists of a quality policy manual, 20 procedures, 31 work instructions, 18 standard forms and a NCR system (Non-Conformance System) – all available on the NOSA intranet.
The ‘Stage 1’ audit was conducted at NOSA head office on 22nd April 2010. NQA used this opportunity to ensure that our prescribed documentation addresses all requirements of ISO 9001:2008. They further verified that a NCR system is in place, minutes of the management review, supplier audits and that an internal audit has taken place.
The ‘Stage 2 ‘ audit takes place after verification of the above. This entails a 6-day trip around the country auditing all the NOSA regional offices to ensure that our QMS is not only implemented, but also entrenched as prescribed.
Once NQA recommend certification, they will conduct annual surveillance audits and a re-certification audit every three years.
|
