title: Cardiovascular outcomes initiative: case studies in performance improvement.
abstract: Multidisciplinary health care teams are trying to change practice in ways that will improve patient outcomes. Three case studies are presented that demonstrate such practice changes. The practice changes involved a multidisciplinary team working toward commonly defined goals over an 18-month period. Several goals were attained, and lessons learned are presented. Nursing staff played a significant role in identifying and implementing the recommended changes.
authors: Division of Nursing, Shenandoah University, 1775 North Sector Court, Winchester, VA 22601 USA. jduffy@early.com
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Duffy
mesh_terms: D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D003363:Cost Control; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006302:Health Services Research; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009017:Morbidity; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D020379:Risk Adjustment; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*