title: Use of accelerating clinical improvement in reorganization of care: the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center experience.
abstract: Accelerating clinical improvement is a unique strategic method for accelerating the rate and effectiveness of improvements in strategically important clinical services. It promotes real reduction in the cost of service while preserving the quality and value within the system. Based on the components of process, value, benchmarking, change, and learning, the method can be used in any system or setting to produce value-driven change. Accelerating clinical improvement is being used within the Obstetrical Department of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center to decrease postpartum length of stay for families with spontaneous vaginal delivery. Familiarity with the method led to additional and ongoing improvements in the system. This method is important for nurses because it is continuous, multidisciplinary, addresses values of concern to families and providers, and is easily incorporated by nurse providers in any clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kobokovich
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006754:Hospital Restructuring / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing; D009513:New Hampshire; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*