title: Quality Improvement Process in a Large Intensive Care Unit: Structure and Outcomes.
abstract: Quality improvement in the health care setting is a complex process, and even more so in the critical care environment. The development of intensive care unit process measures and quality improvement strategies are associated with improved outcomes, but should be individualized to each medical center as structure and culture can differ from institution to institution. The purpose of this report is to describe the structure of quality improvement processes within a large medical intensive care unit while using examples of the study institution's successes and challenges in the areas of stat antibiotic administration, reduction in blood product waste, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and medication errors.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH reddya3@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Anita J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Guzman
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000517:prevention & control; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008506:Medical Waste
keywords: ICU; academic; process; quality