Critical care organization.
The organizational structure of critical care services likely affects the quality of patient care, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Based on the available data, the ideal intensive care unit would be a closed-unit staffed by dedicated intensivists. Whether or not around-the-clock intensivist staffing is necessary, however, is debatable. Because financial realities preclude all units from being ideal, alternative strategies for organization must be explored.
Chang
Steven Y
SY
Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, 4 Levitt Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. schang2@nshs.edu
Multz
Alan S
AS
Hall
Jesse B
JB
D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000639:trends*; D000078329:Workforce