HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement articles from November 2003

HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement archives from November 2003

Progress in data collection improves alignment but adds new challenges: with disparity among systems, it's hard to compare apples to apples.
November 1, 2003... As the experts will attest, benchmarking is part science, part art. The science of data capture is becoming more sophisticated all the time, although a relatively small number of institutions currently are taking advantage of state-of-the-art,...

East-west synthesis drives change model: sessions are heart of customer service improvement.
November 1, 2003... The unique fusion of a process for major change created at the Harvard School of Business and a Japanese business culture model where change is driven by department managers and staff rather than by top leadership has helped power a successful...

Stroke centers can cut LOS, boost outcomes: complicated process needs multidisciplinary team.
November 1, 2003... Stroke centers with specialized stroke teams have the potential to improve outcomes and decrease lengths of stay (LOS) for facilities that previously have relied solely on pre-hospital and emergency department (ED) infrastructure. This...

CAM a special challenge for cardiac care: many heart patients seek alternative therapies.
November 1, 2003... A study published this spring and follow-up work yet to be released underscore an as-yet unmet challenge presented by many heart patients: An extraordinarily high percentage of these patients turn to CAM (complimentary alternative medicine)...

Collaborative patient safety program launched: venture targets state agencies, hospital partners.
November 1, 2003... The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in Rockville, MD, and the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) in Ann Arbor, MI, are collaborating on the Patient Safety Improvement Corps, a...