Critical limb ischemia: reporting outcomes and quality.
The impetus to pursue quality in limb salvage is high in the current economic environment. This has been spurred on by the diffusion of multiple technologies, the lack of well-defined cost-effectiveness benchmarks, and the paucity of process and structure benchmarks. Furthermore, no national database exists to capture current activity and trends, and lead structure and process changes that could analyze outcomes and improve standards in peripheral interventions for limb salvage. This manuscript examines the challenges in measuring outcomes and quality in limb salvage and explores the components necessary for ensuring quality in limb salvage interventions.
Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Mark G
MG
Davies
D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
benchmarks; clinical pathways; cost effectiveness; critical limb ischemia; endovascular interventions; limb salvage; objective performance goals; outcomes; patient safety; patient safety organization; peripheral interventions; quality improvement; quality reporting; risk stratification