title: Using standard desk-top tools to monitor medical error rates.
abstract: Many experts believe it is time to do something about the high number of medical errors and adverse events highlighted in the recent IOM report. This article examines how front line managers can use a valuable quality improvement/assurance tool--the statistical process control chart--to track and analyze medical error rates. It includes a step-by-step guide to the creation and interpretation of a demonstration chart, discusses potential barriers to the use of statistical process control charts, and suggests ways to overcome those barriers.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Economics, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Cathryn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States