title: Protocol-driven care in the intensive care unit: a tool for quality.
abstract: Advances in organization and patient management in the intensive care unit (ICU) have led to reductions in the morbidity and mortality suffered by critically ill patients. Two such advances include multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and the development of clinical protocols. The use of protocols and MDTs does not necessarily guarantee instant improvement in the quality of care, but it does offer useful tools for the pursuit of such objectives. As ICU physicians increasingly assume leadership roles in the pursuit of higher quality ICU care, their knowledge and skills in the discipline of quality improvement will become essential.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dittus
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Ely
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States