title: Constructing a therapist-driven protocol. Spectrum of types and quality control.
abstract: Therapist-driven protocols for the implementation and delivery of respiratory care must be tailored to fit the needs of the individual institution. The method that is chosen for constructing a therapist-driven protocol depends on the type of protocol desired (disease-, symptom-, or treatment-based) and on whether a narrative or flow-diagram format is preferred. Because the goal of therapist-driven protocols is to provide a systematic method for determining appropriate respiratory care, quality control measures are necessary to ensure that desired outcomes are achieved. Quality control monitoring can be performed through the use of case-study exercises, verbal shift reports, and care-plan audits. Results of quality control monitoring techniques can be used to guide modification of protocols.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kester
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Orens
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011786:Quality Control; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012985:Software Design