title: Using health care outcomes to improve patient care in the NICU.
abstract: The authors describe their use of outcomes research in improving the care of infants in a ten-hospital network of neonatal intensive care units. Improvements in the processes of care for infants born with very low birth weights, and those suffering from chronic lung disease and nosocomial infections, are among the issues discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Services, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena 91188.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Wirtschafter
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000592:standards*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*