Quality management and volume-related outcomes in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
The assessment of quality in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is a complex, ongoing process that requires a comprehensive analysis of the multiple elements of quality. Although clinical outcomes are a reflection of the quality process, they derive from a complex interaction of clinical, technical, and process-of-care components. Procedural volume is associated but not equated with clinical outcomes, although the magnitude of this association depends on numerous covariates, most notably the diminishing rate of adverse outcomes over time.
Snider
Richard L
RL
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC 10-5550, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Laskey
Warren K
WK
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management; D016526:Workload