Quality management has become an important issue in healthcare organizations (hospitals) during the last couple of decades. The increased attention to quality is due to governmental regulations, influence of customers, and hospital management initiatives. So, the role of government as the main provider of healthcare (HC) services has changed. Additionally, the healthcare market is changing from a producer-oriented to a customer-oriented market due to the increasing influence of customers and public pressures. As a consequence, the patient is becoming a customer for the healthcare organizations, or more likely a direct strategic partner who participates in a decisionmaking process. The changes in environment, society, and political policies have significant impacts on management in hospitals as well. There are many difficulties in managing healthcare organizations in a competitive marketplace with a little support from official bodies especially in a small country like Jordan. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for implementing the total quality management concept that is compatible with the local culture of Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]