title: Benchmarking: implementing the process in practice.
abstract: Government guidance and policy promotes the use of benchmarks as measures against which practice and care can be measured. This provides the motivation for practitioners to make changes to improve patient care. Adopting a systematic approach, practitioners can implement changes in practice quickly. The process requires motivation and communication between professionals of all disciplines. It provides a forum for sharing good practice and developing a support network. In this article the authors outline the initial steps taken by three PCGs in implementing the benchmarking process as they move towards primary care trust status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Studies, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University. s.stark@mmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacHale
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003142:Communication; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009042:Motivation; D009731:Nursing Audit / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D013222:State Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom