title: Balanced scorecard for methodology for total performance improvement.
abstract: Health care organizations are complex adaptive systems, a set of connected or interdependent parts or agents that include caregivers, patients, and processes. Consequently, health care organizations are prone to problems and are not always predictable environments. Fundamental changes are needed in the organization and in the delivery of health care in the United States. This article presents a proven method of instituting and tracking the changes that can ensure a respiratory care department is delivering the appropriate level of care.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Care Services, Duke University Hospital, Box 3911, Durham, NC 27710, USA. thalm001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Janice J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Thalman
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Malinowski
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012124:Respiratory Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D012139:Respiratory Therapy Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States