A framework for quality improvement: an analysis of factors responsible for improvement at hospitals participating in the Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) quality improvement initiative.
BACKGROUND
Hospitals are under increasing pressure to improve their quality of care. However, a key question remains: how can hospitals best design and implement successful quality improvement (QI) programs? Hospitals currently employ a variety of QI initiatives but have little empirical evidence on which to base their quality efforts.


METHODS
We designed and applied a hospital cross-sectional survey to 212 hospitals participating in CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines), a voluntary QI initiative of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS). We factor analysis and an ordinary least squares regression model to determine the key hospital factors most associated with unexpected improvements in institutional QI in the treatment of NSTE ACS.


RESULTS
From 2002 to 2004, the following factors had a significant association with unexpected increases in the 2004 QI in NSTE ACS treatment: the use of CRUSADE QI tools, clinical commitment to quality by a cardiology coadvocate, institutional financial commitment to quality, and barriers to QI related to resource availability and cultural resistance to change (all P < .10). Of these factors, optimal use of CRUSADE QI tools was associated with the highest absolute improvement in process adherence score relative to other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
We identified several institutional factors associated with improved quality of care in the treatment of high-risk NSTE ACS. We hope that this evidence-based framework will help guide the development and implementation of future QI programs in order to improve the institutional quality of care for NSTE ACS.
Center for Clinical and Genetic Economics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Seth W
SW
Glickman
William
W
Boulding
Richard
R
Staelin
Jyotsna
J
Mulgund
Matthew T
MT
Roe
Barbara L
BL
Lytle
John S
JS
Rumsfeld
W Brian
WB
Gibler
E Magnus
EM
Ohman
Kevin A
KA
Schulman
Eric D
ED
Peterson
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000592:standards; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014481:United States