title: Continuous quality improvement for the clinical decision unit.
abstract: Clinical decision units (CDUs) are a relatively new and growing area of medicine in which patients undergo rapid evaluation and treatment. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is important for the establishment and functioning of CDUs. CQI in CDUs has many advantages: better CDU functioning, fulfillment of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations mandates, greater efficiency/productivity, increased job satisfaction, better performance improvement, data availability, and benchmarking. Key elements include a database with volume indicators, operational policies, clinical practice protocols (diagnosis specific/condition specific), monitors, benchmarks, and clinical pathways. Examples of these important parameters are given. The CQI process should be individualized for each CDU and hospital.
authors.affiliation: Observation Unit, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA. maces@ccf.org
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mace
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D019091:Critical Pathways; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D012308:Risk Management; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States