title: Benchmarking: finding ways to improve.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article provides health care organizations with a benchmarking methodology to use in comparing practices and processes to identify and actualize opportunities for improvement. The 15-step model can be used to guide internal and external benchmarking activities in a variety of health care settings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two internal benchmarking case studies are illustrated: (1) one hospital used the Baxter model to evaluate its laparoscopic cholecystectomy services, and (2) another prepared for expansion of cardiac catheterization services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two key factors of a successful benchmarking initiative are highlighted: management commitment and involvement, and the need to understand internal practices and processes before benchmarking.
authors.affiliation: Baxter Corporate Consulting, Deerfield, IL.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nordlund
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasista
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000191:economics; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D017146:Models, Organizational; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D012015:Reference Standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States