title: Harmonization of practice among different groups of caregivers: a guideline on arterial blood gas utilization.
abstract: Quality improvement programs based on guidelines should change practice and reduce intraindividual and interindividual variations as well as variations between groups of caregivers. We analyzed a quality improvement program in 3 groups of caregivers. The groups modified differently their practice. Less experienced caregivers modified their practice the most, joining the more experienced professionals. This harmonization was achieved only during the last consolidation period. The analysis of practice could identify the quality of the implementation process and the group on which attention should be focused when such a quality improvement program is undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Intensive Care, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Surgical Intensive Care, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diby
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merlani
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garnerin
authors.forename: Bara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ricou
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003663:Decision Trees; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D008485:Medical Audit; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D009042:Motivation; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*