The implementation of a continuous quality improvement program in a pediatric peritoneal dialysis unit.
Continuous quality improvement (CQI) principles and practices were utilized to evaluate the outpatient peritoneal dialysis follow-up process and the routine monthly laboratory testing of chronic dialysis patients. CQI enabled us to reduce total clinic visit time from a mean of 161 min to 90.8 min. Waiting was decreased from a mean of 51.6 min to 15.8 min. The number of routine monthly laboratory tests performed on patients undergoing chronic dialysis was also reduced, resulting in decreased charges of at least $429.50 per patient per month.
Dialysis Unit, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
K M
KM
Reilly
M E
ME
Turner
K K
KK
Kher
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002648:Child; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000191:economics; D017749:Total Quality Management