title: A performance improvement initiative: development of a peripheral vascular pathway.
abstract: Health care institutions today are being challenged to provide cost-effective, quality care. High-cost Diagnostic Related Groups are being targeted for performance improvement initiatives. A Peripheral Vascular Bypass Chartered Team was formed to review current practices and identify opportunities for system improvements. Data analysis, the literature, and best practices were reviewed. Emphasis on the financial, clinical, and quality outcomes are discussed in relation to a clinical pathway and protocol development in an effort to better manage this population.
authors.affiliation: St Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*