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The use of indicators to improve the quality of intensive care
Author(s) -
VOORT P. H. J.,
VEER S. N.,
VOS M. L. G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2012.02687.x
Subject(s) - quality management , medicine , quality (philosophy) , process management , process (computing) , operations management , benchmark (surveying) , risk analysis (engineering) , performance indicator , computer science , management system , marketing , business , engineering , philosophy , geodesy , epistemology , geography , operating system
In the concept of total quality management that was originally developed in industry, the use of quality indicators is essential. The implementation of quality indicators in the intensive care unit to improve the quality of care is a complex process. This process can be described in seven subsequent steps of an indicator‐based quality improvement ( IBQI ) cycle. With this IBQI cycle, a continuous quality improvement can be achieved with the use of indicator data in a benchmark setting. After the development of evidence‐based indicators, a sense of urgency has to be created, registration should start, raw data must be analysed, feedback must be given, and interpretation and conclusions must be made, followed by a quality improvement plan. The last step is the implementation of changes that needs a sense of urgency, and this completes the IBQI cycle. Barriers and facilitators are found in each step. They should be identified and addressed in a multifaceted quality improvement strategy.