TQM - Total Quality Management - is new to Brazilian health organizations. It is important to try to highlight its feasibility and its boundaries within the sector. It is also necessary to point out the strong relationship between TQM, organizational culture and human resources development, as well as the need for new parameters related to throughputs and outcomes. There are still more doubts than actual knowledge related to the ongoing Brazilian experiences in the field.
TQM; health administration; organizational culture