National Registry of Myocardial Infarction

Trends in presenting characteristics and hospital mortality among patients with ST elevation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction from 1990 to 2006
William J. Rogers, Paul D. Frederick, Edna Stoehr, John G. Canto, Joseph P. Ornato, C. Michael Gibson, Charles V. Pollack, Joel M. Gore, Nisha Chandra-Strobos, Eric D. Peterson, William J. French, for the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction Investigators
American Heart Journal, Volume 156, Issue 6, pages 1026-1034
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (799 KB)

Trends in reperfusion strategies, door-to-needle and door-to-balloon times, and in-hospital mortality among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction enrolled in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction from 1990 to 2006
C. Michael Gibson, Yuri B. Pride, Paul D. Frederick, Charles V. Pollack, John G. Canto, Alan J. Tiefenbrunn, W. Douglas Weaver, Costas T. Lambrew, William J. French, Eric D. Peterson, William J. Rogers, for the NRMI Investigators
American Heart Journal, Volume 156, Issue 6, pages 1035-1044
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (855 KB)


Trends in quality of care for patients with acute myocardial infarction in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction from 1990 to 2006
Eric D. Peterson, Bimal R. Shah, Lori Parsons, Charles V. Pollack, William J. French, John G. Canto, C. Michael Gibson, William J. Rogers, for the NRMI Investigators
American Heart Journal, Volume 156, Issue 6, pages 1045-1055
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (1132 KB)

Interruptions in Medicaid Coverage and Risk for Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care–Sensitive Conditions

A. B. Bindman, A. Chattopadhyay and G. M. Auerback
Ann Intern Med 2008; 854-860.

Abstract Full Text PDF

Measuring Hospital Inefficiency: The Effects of Controlling for Quality and Patient Burden of Illness

Ryan L. Mutter, Michael D. Rosko, Herbert S. Wong
Health Services Research Volume 43 Issue 6 (December 2008): p 1992-2013
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF

Physician Autonomy and Informed Decision Making: Finding the Balance for Patient Safety and Quality

Simon C. Mathews; Peter J. Pronovost
JAMA. 2008;300(24):2913-2915.
EXTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Planning a patient’s discharge from hospital

Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi, Geoffrey Christopher Cloud
BMJ 2008;337:a2694, doi: 10.1136/bmj.a2694
Extract Full text

Improving America's Hospitals: The Joint Commission's Report on Quality and Safety 2008.

http://www.jointcommissionreport.org/

An analysis of National Patient Safety Goal compliance and hospital quality measures related to heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, or surgical conditions, provides scientific evidence of improved patient care according to data gathered by the Joint Commission from nearly 1,500 institutions.

Finding order in heterogeneity: types of quality-improvement intervention publications

L V Rubenstein, S Hempel, M M Farmer, S M Asch, E M Yano, D Dougherty, and P W Shekelle
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 403-408.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Falls in English and Welsh hospitals: a national observational study based on retrospective analysis of 12 months of patient safety incident reports

F Healey, S Scobie, D Oliver, A Pryce, R Thomson, and B Glampson
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 424-430.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Do falls and falls-injuries in hospital indicate negligent care—and how big is the risk?

A retrospective analysis of the NHS Litigation Authority Database of clinical negligence claims, resulting from falls in hospitals in England 1995 to 2006
D Oliver, S Killick, T Even, and M Willmott
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 431-436.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

A model to evaluate quality and effectiveness of disease management

K M M Lemmens, A P Nieboer, C P van Schayck, J D Asin, and R Huijsman
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 447-453.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Assessment of the implementation of a national patient safety alert to reduce wrong site surgery

P Rhodes, S J Giles, G A Cook, A Grange, R Hayton, M J Maxwell, T A Sheldon, and J Wright
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 409-415.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]


Editorial

The egocentric surgeon or the roots of wrong side surgery
John W Senders and Regine Kanzki
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 396-400.
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Verifying patient identity and site of surgery: improving compliance with protocol by audit and feedback

P Garnerin, M Arès, A Huchet, and F Clergue
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 454-458.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Adverse-event-reporting practices by US hospitals: results of a national survey

D O Farley, A Haviland, S Champagne, A K Jain, J B Battles, W B Munier, and J M Loeb
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 416-423.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Editorial

The frustrating case of incident-reporting systems
Kaveh G Shojania
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 400-402.
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Medical Acceptance of Quality Assurance in Health Care: The French Experience

Alexandra Giraud-Roufast; Jean Michel Chabot
JAMA. 2008;300(22):2663-2665.
EXTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Do specialty cardiac hospitals have greater adherence to acute myocardial infarction and heart failure process measures?

An empirical assessment using Medicare quality measures: Quality of care in cardiac specialty hospitals
Ioana Popescu, M.D., M.P.H., Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, M.D., M.P.H., Mary S. Vaughan-Sarrazin, Ph.D., and Peter Cram, M.D., M.B.A.,
2008 American Heart Journal 156(1), pp. 155–160.
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (184 KB)

How Many Nurses per Patient? Measurements of Nurse Staffing in Health Services Research

Joanne Spetz, Nancy Donaldson, Carolyn Aydin, Diane S. Brown
Health Services Research Volume 43 Issue 5p1 : p 1674-1692
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF

Hospital Quality, Efficiency, and Input Slack Differentials

Vivian G. Valdmanis, Michael D. Rosko, Ryan L. Mutter

2008 Health Services Research 43 (5, Part 2): p 1830-1848
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF

Examining quality improvement programs: The case of Minnesota hospitals

Olson, J.R., Belohlav, J.A., Cook, L.S., and Hays, J.M.
2008 Health Services Research 43 (5, Part 2): pp.1787-1806.
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF

Doctors, Dollars & Quality: A Health Affairs Web Exclusive Package

A package of papers and perspectives published on the Health Affairs Web site explore the relationships among the supply of doctors, the composition of the physician workforce, the quality of health care and overall health spending.

http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/hlthaff.28.1.w87/DC2

Choosing The Best Hospital: The Limitations Of Public Quality Reporting

Michael B. Rothberg, Elizabeth Morsi, Evan M. Benjamin, Penelope S. Pekow, and Peter K. Lindenauer
Health Affairs, November/December 2008; 27(6): 1680-1687.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [Figures Only] [PDF] [Online Appendix]

Focusing Measures for Performance-Based Privileging of Physicians on Improvement

Myers, Sarah S.; Clark, Marta D.; Russell, Jennifer A.; Graham, Camille C.; Stultz, Michelle B.; Reidy, Kevin M.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety Volume 34, Number 12, December 2008 , pp. 724-733(10)
abstract

IOM - Resident Duty Hours: Enhancing Sleep, Supervision, and Safety

This report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), asserts that revisions to medical residents’ workloads and duty hours are necessary to better protect patients against fatigue-related errors and to enhance the learning environment for doctors in training.

link

Revisiting Duty-Hour Limits -- IOM Recommendations for Patient Safety and Resident Education

Iglehart, John K.
N Engl J Med 2008 0: NEJMp0808736
full text PDF

Hospital-wide Code Rates and Mortality Before and After Implementation of a Rapid Response

TeamPaul S. Chan; Adnan Khalid; Lance S. Longmore; Robert A. Berg; Mikhail Kosiborod; John A. Spertus
JAMA. 2008;300(21):2506-2513.
ABSTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Information exchange among physicians caring for the same patient in the community

Carl van Walraven, MD MSc, Monica Taljaard, PhD, Chaim M. Bell, MD PhD, Edward Etchells, MD MSc, Kelly B. Zarnke, MD, Ian G. Stiell, MD MSc, and Alan J. Forster, MD MSc
CMAJ 2008 179: 1013-1018.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Commentary

Strengthening primary care with better transfer of information
Robert J. Reid and Edward H. Wagner
CMAJ 2008 179: 987-988.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Incidence of adverse events related to health care in Spain: results of the Spanish National Study of Adverse Events.

J M Aranaz-Andrés, C Aibar-Remón, J Vitaller-Murillo, P Ruiz-López, R Limón-Ramírez, E Terol-García, and the ENEAS work group
J Epidemiol Community Health 2008; 62: 1022-1029.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

AHRQ - Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture

Sorra J, Franklin M, Streagle S.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• Survey Forms (PDF File, 75 KB; Word® File, 170 KB).
• Items and Dimensions (PDF File, 22 KB; Word® File, 60 KB).
• User's Guide (PDF File, 290 KB).

How a simple checklist can dramatically reduce medical errors.

Pronovost PJ.
On Call. IHI Open School for Health Professionals. November 2008.
link

IHI Open School’s On Call audio conference series

Active Bed Management by Hospitalists and Emergency Department Throughput

E. Howell, E. Bessman, S. Kravet, K. Kolodner, R. Marshall and S. Wright
Ann Intern Med 2008; 804-810.
Abstract Full Text PDF

Patient-safety reforms inhibited by systemic impediments

Silversides, Ann
CMAJ 2008 179: 1253-1255
[Full Text] [PDF]

The Canadian Healthcare Safety Symposium 8
visit the speakers page to download individual documents

Pediatric Aspects of Inpatient Health Information Technology Systems

Council on Clinical Information Technology
Pediatrics 2008; 122: e1287-e1296.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Quality of Care for Common Pediatric Respiratory Illnesses in United States Emergency Departments

Analysis of 2005 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Data
Jane F. Knapp, Stephen D. Simon, and Vidya Sharma
Pediatrics 2008; 122: 1165-1170.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Quality of Inpatient Care for Asthma: Challenges and Opportunities
Meyer KattanPediatrics 2008; 122: 1369-1370.
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

IHI Open School for Health Professions

Case studies, podcasts, videos, featured articles — and a bounty of other free online resources from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement

• Overview
• Courses
• Audio
• Video

HHS - Quality Measure Inventory

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the first-ever inventory of quality measures that are used for reporting, payment, or quality improvement by its agencies and operating divisions.

The HHS measure inventory is available on the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse, a Web site of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) link

HHS Measures is available for download in Excel

The Lessons of Success — Revisiting the Medicare Story

D. Blumenthal and J. Morone
N Engl J Med 2008 359: 2384-2389
Extract FREE Full Text PDF

Is health care getting safer?

Charles Vincent, Paul Aylin, Bryony Dean Franklin, Alison Holmes, Sandra Iskander, Ann Jacklin, Krishna Moorthy
BMJ 2008;337:a2426
extract Full text PDF

Medical mistakes, when things are left behind.

Freed T. KSEE 24 News. November 11, 2008.
video

Complex Surgical Site Infections and the Devilish Details of Risk Adjustment: Important Implications for Public Reporting

Deverick J. Anderson, Luke F. Chen, Daniel J. Sexton, Keith S. Kaye
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 2008 29:10, 941-946
Abstract-Full Text-PDF Version (291 kB)

Risk adjustment performance of Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidities in ICD-9 and ICD-10 administrative databases

Bing Li, Dewey Evans, Peter Faris, Stafford Dean, Hude Quan
BMC Health Services Research 2008, 8:12 (14 January 2008)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [PubMed] [Related articles]

Electronic Health Record Components and the Quality of Care.

Salomeh Keyhani, MD; Paul L. Hebert, PhD; Joseph S. Ross, MD, MHS; Alex Federman, MD, MPH; Carolyn W. Zhu, PhD; Albert L. Siu, MD, MSPH
Medical Care. 46(12):1267-1272, December 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (228 K)

Blueprint for a New American College of Surgeons: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program .

J . Birkmeyer , D . Shahian , J . Dimick , S . Finlayson , D . Flum , C . Ko , B . Hall
Journal of the American College of Surgeons , Volume 207 , Issue 5 , Pages 777 - 782
Full Text Full-Text PDF (106 KB)

Mental Illness and Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Medical Conditions.

Yue Li, PhD; Laurent G. Glance, MD; Xueya Cai, PhD; Dana B. Mukamel, PhD
Medical Care. 46(12):1249-1256, December 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (325 K)

Does interhospital transfer improve outcome of acute myocardial infarction? A propensity score analysis from the Cardiovascular Cooperative Project

John M Westfall, Catarina I Kiefe, Norman W Weissman, Anthony Goudie, Robert M Centor, O Dale Williams, Jeroan J Allison
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2008, 8:22
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [PubMed] [Related articles]

Role of routines in collaborative work in healthcare organisations

Trisha Greenhalgh
BMJ 2008;337:a2448, doi: 10.1136/bmj.a2448
extract Full text PDF of print issue

Quality improvement scheme hopes to save authority £17m in first year

Zosia Kmietowicz
BMJ 2008;337:a1884
[Extract] [Full text]

SQUIRE: Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence

SQUIRE arrives—with a plan for its own improvement
David P Stevens and Richard Thomson
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17 (Suppl 1): i1-i2.
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Publication guidelines for quality improvement in health care: evolution of the SQUIRE project
F Davidoff, P Batalden, D Stevens, G Ogrinc, S Mooney for the SQUIRE development group
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17 (Suppl 1): i3-i9.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

QIR and SQUIRE: continuum of reporting guidelines for scholarly reports in healthcare improvement
R G Thomson and F M Moss
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17 (Suppl 1): i10-i12.
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

The SQUIRE (Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence) guidelines for quality improvement reporting: explanation and elaboration
G Ogrinc, S E Mooney, C Estrada, T Foster, D Goldmann, L W Hall, M M Huizinga, S K Liu, P Mills, J Neily, W Nelson, P J Pronovost, L Provost, L V Rubenstein, T Speroff, M Splaine, R Thomson, A M Tomolo, and B Watts
Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17 (Suppl 1): i13-i32.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

When things go wrong.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Campaign Live. August 18, 2008.
PSNet link

Early Readmissions to the Department of Medicine as a Screening Tool for Monitoring Quality of Care Problems.

Uri Balla, Stephen Malnick, Ami Schattner
Medicine. 87(5):294-300, September 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (89 K)

Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 10, October 2008

Handoffs Causing Patient Harm: A Survey of Medical and Surgical House Staff pp. 563-570D(8)
Kitch, Barrett T.; Cooper, Jeffrey B.; Zapol, Warren M.; Marder, Jessica E.; Karson, Andrew; Hutter, Matt; Campbell, Eric G.

Adverse Events During Hospitalization: Results of a Patient Survey
pp. 583-590(8)
Fowler, Floyd J.; Epstein, Arnold; Weingart, Saul N.; Annas, Catherine L.; Bolcic-Jankovic, Dragana; Clarridge, Brian; Schneider, Eric C.; Weissman, Joel S.

Developing Process-Support Tools for Patient Safety: Finding the Balance Between Validity and Feasibility
pp. 604-607(4)
Marsteller, Jill A.; Holzmueller, Christine G.; Makary, Martin; Sexton, J. Bryan; Thompson, David A.; Lubomski, Lisa H.; Pronovost, Peter J.

The Daily Goals Communication Sheet: A Simple and Novel Tool for Improved Communication and Care
pp. 608-613(6)
Schwartz, Jamie M.; Nelson, Kristen L.; Saliski, Mary; Hunt, Elizabeth A.; Pronovost, Peter J.

The Team Checkup Tool: Evaluating QI Team Activities and Giving Feedback to Senior Leaders
pp. 619-623(5)
Lubomski, Lisa H.; Marsteller, Jill A.; Hsu, Yea-Jen; Goeschel, Christine A.; Holzmueller, Christine G.; Pronovost, Peter J.

Nosocomial Infection, the Deficit Reduction Act, and Incentives for Hospitals

Nicholas Graves; John E. McGowan Jr
JAMA. 2008;300(13):1577-1579.
EXTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Getting Real Performance Out of Pay-for-Performance

SEAN NICHOLSON, MARK V. PAULY, ANITA YA JUNG WU, JAMES F. MURRAY, STEVEN M. TEUTSCH, MARC L. BERGER
Milbank Quarterly Volume 86 Issue 3, Pages 435 - 457
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF

Modifying ICD-9-CM Coding of Secondary Diagnoses to Improve Risk-Adjustment of Inpatient Mortality Rates

Pine, Michael, Jordan, Harmon S., Elixhauser, Anne, Fry, Donald E., Hoaglin, David C., Jones, Barbara, Meimban, Roger, Warner, David, Gonzales, Junius
Med Decis Making 2008 0: 0272989X08323297
Abstract

Benchmarking Physical Therapy Clinic Performance: Statistical Methods to Enhance Internal Validity When Using Observational Data

Resnik, Linda, Liu, Dawei, Hart, Dennis L, Mor, Vince
PHYS THER 2008 88: 1078-1087
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

AHRQ Annual Meeting and AHRQ Quality Indicators User Meeting

www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/presentations.htm

The Quality Indicators Support Team hosted the 2008 QI Users Meeting in conjunction with the AHRQ Annual Meeting.
This meeting included presentations on:

• Patient Safety Indicator validation efforts
• tiering of the QIs
• public reporting of the QIs

Impact of date stamping on patient safety measurement in patients undergoing CABG: Experience with the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators

Laurent G Glance, Yue Li, Turner M Osler, Dana B Mukamel, Andrew W Dick
BMC Health Services Research 2008, 8:176 (13 August 2008)
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

AHRQ - Quality Indicators Learning Institute

www.ahrq.gov/QILearningInstitute/

The intent of the AHRQ Quality Indicators Learning Institute is to promote open discussions and interactions among program leaders, policymakers, researchers, and other experts involved in developing public reporting systems.

The "Introduction to the AHRQ QI Learning Institute" Webinar was held on July 30, 2008. Select to access the slide presentation (PowerPoint® presentation [950 KB]; Web version) and the Webinar transcript.

The Webinar "AHRQ Quality Indicators 101: Background and Introduction to the AHRQ QIs" was held on September 17, 2008. Select to access the slide presentation (PowerPoint® presentation [1.8 MB]; Web version) and the Webinar transcript).

The Tipping Point: The Relationship Between Volume and Patient Harm

Alberta T. Pedroja
American Journal of Medical Quality 2008 23: 336-341.
[Abstract] [PDF]

An Innovative Method to Assess Negotiation Skills Necessary for Quality Improvement

Prathibha Varkey, Priyanka Gupta, and Kevin E. Bennet
American Journal of Medical Quality 2008 23: 350-355.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Transition from pediatric to adult services: are we getting it right?.

Andrew Kennedy; Susan Sawyer
Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 20(4):403-409, August 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (111 K)

The Quality and Disparities Reports: Why Is Progress So Slow?

Jeffrey Brady, Karen Ho, and Carolyn M. Clancy
American Journal of Medical Quality 2008 23: 396-398.
[PDF]

Ranking Hospitals on Surgical Quality: Does Risk-Adjustment Always Matter?

J . Dimick , J . Birkmeyer
Journal of the American College of Surgeons , Volume 207 , Issue 3 , Pages 347 - 351
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (145 KB)

AHRQ - Common Formats for event reporting to Patient Safety Organizations

www.pso.ahrq.gov/formats/commonfmt.htm

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) coordinates the development of Common Formats for event reporting to Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs). This activity is authorized by the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (the Patient Safety Act).

The Common Formats optimize the opportunity for the public and private sectors to learn more about trends and patterns in patient safety, with the purpose of improving health care quality.

How Many Nurses per Patient? Measurements of Nurse Staffing in Health Services Research

Joanne Spetz, Nancy Donaldson, Carolyn Aydin, Diane S. Brown

Health Services ResearchVolume 43 Issue 5p1 (October 2008): p 1674-1692
Abstract HTML PDF Supporting information

FDA Patient Safety News

www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/index.cfm

A Video News Show for Health Professionals from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that offers information on common types of medical errors.

Does Hospital Performance on Process Measures Directly Measure High Quality Care or Is It a Marker of Unmeasured Care?

Rachel M. Werner, Eric T. Bradlow, David A. Asch
Health Services ResearchVolume 43 Issue 5p1 (October 2008): 1464-1484
Abstract HTML PDF Supporting information


Editorial
Reflections on Improving Hospital Performance
Ann Barry Flood, Marie-Claire Rosenberg
Health Services ResearchVolume 43 Issue 5p1 (October 2008): 1457-1463
Abstract HTML, PDF

Development and Evaluation of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Global Trigger Tool.

David C. Classen; Robert C. Lloyd; Lloyd Provost; Frances A. Griffin; Roger Resar
Journal of Patient Safety. 4(3):169-177, September 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (681 K)

Questionable hospital chart documentation practices by physicians.

Sharma R, Kostis WJ, Wilson AC, et al.
J Gen Intern Med. 2008 Aug 27; [Epub ahead of print].
Pubmed

Testing the hospital value proposition: An empirical analysis of efficiency and quality.

Huerta, Timothy R.; Ford, Eric W.; Peterson, Lori T.; Brigham, Keith H.
Features Health Care Management Review. 33(4):341-349, October/December 2008.
Abstract Fulltext PDF (107 K)

The Potential Effects Of HEDIS Performance Measures On The Quality Of Care

David M. Eddy, L. Gregory Pawlson, David Schaaf, Barbara Peskin, Andrei Shcheprov, Julia Dziuba, Jill Bowman, and Benjamin Eng
Health Affairs, September/October 2008; 27(5): 1429-1441.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [Figures Only] [PDF]

Pay for Performance -- Emerging Models of provider-Payment Reform

Rosenthal, Meredith B.Beyond
N Engl J Med 2008 359: 1197-1200
Extract FREE Full Text PDF

Care Platforms: A Basic Building Block For Care Delivery

Richard M.J. Bohmer and David M. Lawrence
Health Affairs, September/October 2008; 27(5): 1336-1340.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

A Survey of Hospital Quality Improvement Activities

Alan B. Cohen, Joseph D. Restuccia, Michael Shwartz, Jennifer E. Drake, RayKang, Peter Kralovec, Sally K. Holmes, Frances Margolin, and Deborah Bohr
Med Care Res Rev 2008;65 571-595
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Hospitalists And Care Transitions: The Divorce Of Inpatient And Outpatient Care

Hoangmai H. Pham, Joy M. Grossman, Genna Cohen, and Thomas Bodenheimer
Health Affairs, September/October 2008; 27(5): 1315-1327.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Online Supplement]

Statistical modeling of the volume-outcome effect for carotid endarterectomy for 10 years of a statewide database

Susanna M. Nazarian, Gayane Yenokyan, Richard E. Thompson, Michael E. Griswold, David C. Chang, Bruce A. Perler
J Vasc Surg. 2008 Aug;48(2):343-50
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (367 KB)

Discussion
ageJ Vasc Surg. 2008 Aug;48(2): 360-361
Full Text Full-Text PDF (47 KB)

Self reported receipt of care consistent with 32 quality indicators

national population survey of adults aged 50 or more in England
Nicholas Steel, Max Bachmann, Susan Maisey, Paul Shekelle, Elizabeth Breeze, Michael Marmot, David Melzer
BMJ 2008;337:a957
free full text

Bridging From the Picker Hospital Survey to the CAHPS(R) Hospital Survey.

Denise D. Quigley, PhD; Marc N. Elliott, PhD; Ron D. Hays, PhD; David J. Klein, MS; Donna O. Farley, PhD
Medical Care. 46(7):654-661, July 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (293 K) ArticlePlus

AHRQ - Informed Decisions Toolbox

Finding and Using Management Research Evidence

To promote evidence-based management in health care, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) funded development of tools to help decisionmakers find and interpret evidence related to decisions.

http://www.ahrq.gov/research/decisiontoolbx.htm#top

Ignoring Dependency between Linking Variables and Its Impact on the Outcome of Probabilistic Record Linkage Studies

Miranda Tromp, Nora Méray, Anita C.J. Ravelli, Johannes B. Reitsma, and Gouke J. Bonsel
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2008; 15: 654-660.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Comorbidity risk-adjustment strategies are comparable among persons with hip fracture.

D . Radley , D . Gottlieb , E . Fisher , A . Tosteson
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology , Volume 61 , Issue 6 , Pages 580 - 587
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (195 KB)

AHRQ 2007 Annual Conference: Presentations

www.ahrq.gov/about/annualmtg07/

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) held its first-ever annual conference September 26-28, 2007, in Bethesda, MD. The meeting presentations are now available.

Contents:

• Data Sharing, Health Care Reporting, and the Public Trust
• Medication Management and Safety
• Strategies and Tools for Quality/Safety Improvement
• Value and Sustainability in Health IT
• Improving Health Care Decision Making
• System Design and Organizational Change
• HHS' Value-Driven Health Care Initiative: Strategies and Tools for Success

Medication Errors in Pediatric Inpatients: Prevalence and Results of a Prevention Program

Paula Otero, Andrea Leyton, Gonzalo Mariani, José María Ceriani Cernadas and the Patient Safety Committee
Pediatrics 2008; 122: e737-e743.
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

The Effect of Electronic Prescribing on Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events: A Systematic Review

muitqghElske Ammenwerth, Petra Schnell-Inderst, Christof Machan, and Uwe Siebert
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2008; 15: 585-600.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] Data Supplement

The BOOSTing (Better Outcomes for Older adults through Safe Transitions) Care Transitions resource room

This web site from the Society of Hospital Medicine provides a wealth of materials to help optimize the discharge process. The BOOSTing is the online version of the Care Transitions Implementation Guide. The suggested approach is based on 8 essential elements for improving the discharge process.

Link

Effect of financial incentives on inequalities in the delivery of primary clinical care in England

analysis of clinical activity indicators for the quality and outcomes framework
Tim Doran, Catherine Fullwood, Evangelos Kontopantelis, David Reeves
The Lancet 2008; 372:728-736
Summary Full Text

Comment

Quality and outcomes framework: patient-centred?
Barbara Starfield
The Lancet 2008; 372:692-694
Full Text

Interpret surgical outcome data with care

Peter J E Holt, Jan D Poloniecki, Matt M Thompson
BMJ 2008;337:a1401
[Extract] [Full text]

QOF and public health priorities don’t improve care in ageing

David Oliver
BMJ 2008;337:a1403
[Extract] [Full text]

The Royal North Shore Hospital inquiry: an analysis of the recommendations and the implications for quality and safety in Australian public hospitals

Anthony P Joseph and Stephen N Hunyor
Med J Aust 2008; 188 (8): 469-472.
pubmed

Implementation of quality measures to reduce surgical site infection in colorectal patients.

Wick EC, Gibbs L, Indorf LA, Varma MG, Garcia-Aguilar J.
Dis Colon Rectum. 2008 Jul;51(7):1004-9.
abstract PDF (124.2 KB) HTML Free Preview

Relationship of a Quality Measure Composite to Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Heart Failure

Eugene S. Chung, Lin Guo, Donald E. Casey, Jr, Cheryl Bartone, Santosh Menon, Syed Saghir, Anubhav Mital, and Dean J. Kereiakes
American Journal of Medical Quality 2008 23: 168-175.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Effect of procedural volume on outcome of coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Japan

implication toward public reporting and minimal volume standards
Miyata H, Motomura N, Ueda Y, Matsuda H, Takamoto S.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Jun;135(6):1306-12.
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (214 KB)


Expert Commentary

Low-volume coronary artery bypass surgery: Measuring and optimizing performance
David M. Shahian, Sharon-Lise T. Normand
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Jun;135(6): 1202-1209
Full Text Full-Text PDF (307 KB)

The Value of Ambulatory Care Measures: A Review of Clinical and Financial Impact from an Employer/Payer Perspective

Francois de Brantes, MBA; Paula S. Wickland, FSA; and John P. Williams, MD
Am J Manag Care. 2008;14(6):360-368
Abstract : Full Text : Appendix : PDF

Interventions to Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescribing: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Analysis.

Sumant R. Ranji, MD; Michael A. Steinman, MD; Kaveh G. Shojania, MD; Ralph Gonzales, MD, MSPH
Medical Care. 46(8):847-862, August 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (582 K) ArticlePlus

Measuring Maternal Morbidity in Routinely Collected Health Data

Development and Validation of a Maternal Morbidity Outcome Indicator.
Christine L. Roberts, MBBS, DipObsRANZCOG, DrPH; Carolyn A. Cameron, MPH; Jane C. Bell, BDS, DipEd, MPH, MAppEpid; Charles S. Algert, BS, MPH; Jonathan M. Morris, MB ChB, FRANZCOG, PhD
Medical Care. 46(8):786-794, August 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (327 K)

Identifying Top-Performing Hospitals by Algorithm: Results from a Demonstration Project

Allison, Jeroan J.; Weissman, Norman W.; Silvey, Andrea B.; Chapin, Charlie A.; Kiefe, Catarina I.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 309-317(9)
abstract

Estimating a Composite Measure of Hospital Quality From the Hospital Compare Database

Differences When Using a Bayesian Hierarchical Latent Variable Model Versus Denominator-Based Weights.
Michael Shwartz, PhD; Justin Ren, PhD; Erol A. Peköz, PhD; Xin Wang, PhD; Alan B. Cohen, ScD; Joseph D. Restuccia, DrPH
Medical Care. 46(8):778-785, August 2008.

Abstract HTML PDF (298 K)

Comparison and Validity of Procedures Coded With ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CA/CCI.

Carolyn De Coster, Bing Li, Hude Quan
Medical Care. 46(6):627-634, June 2008
Abstract HTML PDF (407 K)

Public Reporting of Antibiotic Timing in Patients with Pneumonia

Lessons from a Flawed Performance Measure
R. M. Wachter, S. A. Flanders, C. Fee and P. J. Pronovost
Ann Intern Med 2008; 29-32.
Abstract Full Text PDF

Comparative Quality Measures: Putting Evidence Above Expediency

hqypezi
Michael G. Kahn and James Todd
Pediatrics 2008; 122: 182-183.
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Does the Leapfrog Program Help Identify High-Quality Hospitals?

Jha, Ashish K.; Orav, E. John; Ridgway, Abigail B.; Zheng, Jie; Epstein, Arnold M.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 318-325(8)
abstract

Frequency and Predictors of Adverse Health Outcomes in Older Medicare Beneficiaries Discharged From the Emergency Department.

S Nicole Hastings, MD; Eugene Z. Oddone, MD, MHS; Gerda Fillenbaum, PhD; Richard J. Sloane, MPH; Kenneth E. Schmader, MD
Medical Care. 46(8):771-777, August 2008
Abstract HTML PDF (268 K)

An introduction to reading and appraising qualitative research

Ayelet Kuper, Scott Reeves, Wendy Levinson
BMJ 2008;337:a288 (Published 7 August 2008)
[Extract] [Full text]

Selecting High Priority Quality Measures For Breast Cancer Quality Improvement.

Michael J. Hassett, MD, MPH; Melissa E. Hughes, MSc; Joyce C. Niland, PhD; Rebecca Ottesen, MS; Stephen B. Edge, MD; Michael A. Bookman, MD; Robert W. Carlson, MD; Richard L. Theriault, DO, MBA; Jane C. Weeks, MD, MSc
Medical Care. 46(8):762-770, August 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (396 K)



Editorial

On the Road to Improving the Quality of Breast Cancer Care: A Distance Still to Travel.
Jeanne S. Mandelblatt, MD, MPH; Arnold L. Potosky, PhD
Medical Care. 46(8):759, August 2008.
HTML PDF (122 K)

Hospital Volume, Surgeon Volume, and Patient Costs for Cancer Surgery.

Vivian Ho, Thomas Aloia
Medical Care. 46(7):718-725, July 2008
Abstract HTML PDF (467 K)

Variation in Quality of Care Within Health Systems

Hines, Steve; Joshi, Maulik
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 326-332(7)
abstract

Comparing Patient-Reported Hospital Adverse Events with Medical Record Review

Do Patients Know Something That Hospitals Do Not?
J. S. Weissman, E. C. Schneider, S. N. Weingart, A. M. Epstein, J. David-Kasdan, S. Feibelmann, C. L. Annas, N. Ridley, L. Kirle and C. Gatsonis
Ann Intern Med 2008; 100-108.
Abstract Full Text PDF

Improving the Safety and Quality of Care Transitions .

C . Clancy
AORN , Volume 88 , Issue 1 , Pages 111 - 113
Preview Purchase PDF (88 K)

Quality of Care of Children in the Emergency Department: Association with Hospital Setting and Physician Training.

Dharmar M, Marcin JP, Romano PS, Andrada ER, Overly F, Valente JH, Harvey DJ, Cole SL, Kuppermann N.
J Pediatr. 2008 Jul 10.
pubmed

Tracking quality over time: what do pressure ulcer data show?

Lena Gunningberg and Nancy A. Stotts
Int J Qual Health Care 2008 20: 246-253;
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

WHO - Assuring the quality of health care in the European Union

A case for action

This book from the World Health Organization, on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, examines the systems that have been put in place in all of the European Union’s 27 Member States to ensure high quality care

pdf

Identifying Persons with Treated Asthma Using Administrative Data via Latent Class Modelling

Robert J. Prosser, Bruce C. Carleton, M. Anne Smith
Health Services Research Volume 43 Issue 2, Pages 733 - 754
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF (Size: 143K) Supporting information

WHO - Guidance on developing quality and safety strategies

The aim of this guidance from the WHO Regional Office for Europe is to help national policy advisers and policy makers to create and implement a national quality strategy, drawing attention to the need for sustainable longer term public health measures.

pdf

Exploratory Analyses of the "Failure to Rescue" Measure

Evaluation Through Medical Record Review.
AkkeNeel Talsma; Vinita Bahl; Darrell A. Campbell
Journal of Nursing Care Quality. 23(3):202-210, July/September 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (89 K)


Failure to Rescue: A Preliminary Study of Patient-Level Factors.
Kathleen L. Bobay, Karen L. Fiorelli, Alfred J. Anderson
Journal of Nursing Care Quality. 23(3):211-215, July/September 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (69 K)

Survey of medication documentation at hospital discharge: implications for patient safety and continuity of care.

Grimes T, Delaney T, Duggan C, Kelly JG, Graham IM.
Ir J Med Sci. 2008 Jun;177(2):93-7.
PDF (162.0 KB) HTML Free Preview

The Effectiveness of Root Cause Analysis: What Does the Literature Tell Us?

Percarpio, Katherine B.; Watts, B. Vince; Weeks, William B.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 7, July 2008 , pp. 391-398(8)
abstract

Using nurses and office staff to report prescribing errors in primary care

Amanda G. Kennedy, Benjamin Littenberg, and John W. Senders
Int J Qual Health Care 2008 20: 238-245;
[Abstract] [FREE Full Text] [PDF]

Exclusion of Patients from Pay-for-Performance Targets by English Physicians

Doran, Tim, Fullwood, Catherine, Reeves, David, Gravelle, Hugh, Roland, Martin
N Engl J Med 2008 359: 274-284
Abstract Full Text PDF Supplementary Material

Rationing of nursing care and its relationship to patient outcomes

the Swiss extension of the International Hospital Outcomes Study
Maria Schubert, Tracy R. Glass, Sean P. Clarke, Linda H. Aiken, Bianca Schaffert-Witvliet, Douglas M. Sloane, and Sabina De Geest
Int J Qual Health Care 2008 20: 227-237;
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Hospital Quality: A PRIDIT Approach

Robert D. Lieberthal
Health Services Research Volume 43 Issue 3, Pages 988 - 1005
Abstract References Full Text: HTML, PDF

Improving the Translation of Research into Primary Care Practice

Results of a National Quality Improvement Demonstration Project
Ornstein, Steven; Nietert, Paul J.; Jenkins, Ruth G.; Wessell, Andrea M.; Nemeth, Lynne S.; Rose, Heather L.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 7, July 2008 , pp. 379-390(12)
abstract

Are Patient Safety Indicators related to widely used measures of hospital quality?

gqlqvIsaac T, Jha AK.
J Gen Intern Med. 2008 Jun 24; [Epub ahead of print].
pubmed

The Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) Toolkit

http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=30051

TCAB toolkit focus on engaging frontline staff and unit managers so that transforming the way care is delivered on medical/surgical units come not from the executive suite or a quality improvement department, but from the nurses and other care team members who spend the most time with patients.

Health Policy and Public Trust

Robert H. Brook
JAMA. 2008;300(2):211-213.
EXTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Electronic Health Records in Ambulatory Care -- A National Survey of Physicians

DesRoches, Catherine M., Campbell, Eric G., Rao, Sowmya R., Donelan, Karen, Ferris, Timothy G., Jha, Ashish, Kaushal, Rainu, Levy, Douglas E., Rosenbaum, Sara, Shields, Alexandra E., Blumenthal, David
N Engl J Med 2008 359: 50-60
Abstract FREE Full Text PDF Supplementary Material

The Impact Of Pay-For-Performance On Health Care Quality In Massachusetts, 2001–2003

Steven D. Pearson, Eric C. Schneider, Ken P. Kleinman, Kathryn L. Coltin, and Janice A. Singer
Health Affairs, 27, no. 4 (2008): 1167-1176
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Technical Appendix]

NHS - Next Stage Review

The NHS Next Stage Review, ‘Our NHS, Our Future’, has come to a close and Lord Darzi and the UK Department of Health have published the following reports:

High quality care for all: NHS Next Stage Review final report

A consultation on the NHS Constitution

NHS Next Stage Review: Our vision for primary and community care

A high quality workforce: NHS Next Stage review

What matters to staff in the NHS

Strategic Health Authorities' visions for better healthcare

NHS Next Stage Review - Leading Local Change

Changing for the better: Guidance when undertaking major changes to NHS services

Our NHS Our future: NHS next stage review - interim report

WHO - Workshop on performance assessment for health systems improvement

First day of WHO European Ministerial Conference on Health Systems: “Health Systems, Health and Wealth” was dedicated to performance assessment for health systems improvement.

watch videos

WHO - Safe Surgery Saves Lives

www.who.int/patientsafety/safesurgery/en/index.html

The aims of the World Alliance for Patient Safety second Global Patient Safety Challenge is to improve the safety of surgical care around the world.

The "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" initiative is a collaborative effort to reduce avoidable deaths and complications in surgical care.



The WHO surgical safety checklist identifies a set of surgical safety standards that can be applied in all countries and health settings.

The Informatics Opportunities at the Intersection of Patient Safety and Clinical Informatics

Peter M. Kilbridge and David C. Classen
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2008; 15: 397-407.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] Data Supplement

Workarounds to Barcode Medication Administration Systems

Their Occurrences, Causes, and Threats to Patient Safety
Ross Koppel, Tosha Wetterneck, Joel Leon Telles, and Ben-Tzion Karsh
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2008; 15: 408-423.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Evidence for the impact of quality improvement collaboratives: systematic review

Loes M T Schouten, Marlies E J L Hulscher, Jannes J E van Everdingen, Robbert Huijsman, Richard P T M Grol
BMJ 2008;336:1491-1494
[Abstract] [Abridged PDF] [Full text] [PDF] [extra: Web extras]


Editorial

Effects of quality improvement collaboratives
Peter K Lindenauer
BMJ 2008;336:1448-1449
Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Paying the Piper: Investing in Infrastructure for Patient Safety

Pronovost, Peter J.; Rosenstein, Beryl J.; Paine, Lori; Miller, Marlene R.; Haller, Karen; Davis, Richard; Demski, Renee; Garrett, Margaret R.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 342-348(7)
abstract

Communicating, Coordinating, and Cooperating When Lives Depend on It: Tips for Teamwork

Salas, Eduardo; Wilson, Katherine A.; Murphy, Carrie E.; King, Heidi; Salisbury, Mary
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 333-341(9)
abstract

Comparisons of Health Plan Quality: Does the Sampling Strategy Affect the Results?

L Elizabeth Goldman ; Arpita Chattopadhyay; Andrew B. Bindman

Medical Care. 46(7):752-757, July 2008.

Abstract HTML PDF (229 K)

Personal Quality Improvement and Individualized Health Process Control: An Update.

Quality Management in Health Care. 17(2):186-188, April/June 2008.
Neuhauser, Duncan
Abstract HTML PDF (56 K)

Are Performance Measures Based on Automated Medical Records Valid for Physician/Practice Profiling of Asthma Care?

Anne Fuhlbrigge, MD, MS; Vincent J. Carey, PhD; Jonathan A. Finkelstein, MD, MPH; Paula Lozano, MD, MPH; Thomas S. Inui, ScM, MD; Kevin B. Weiss, MD
Medical Care. 46(6):620-626, June 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (297 K)

A Parametric Control Chart Adjustment for Handling Serial Dependence in Health Care Quality Data.

Quality Management in Health Care. 17(2):154-161, April/June 2008.
Madan, Alok; Borckardt, Jeffrey J. ; Nash, Michael R.
Abstract HTML PDF (588 K)

How Work Context Shapes Physician Approach to Safety and Error.

Hoff, Timothy J.

Quality Management in Health Care. 17(2):140-153, April/June 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF (102 K)

Will Mandated Minimum Nurse Staffing Ratios Lead to Better Patient Outcomes?

Julie Sochalski, R Tamara Konetzka, Jingsan Zhu, Kevin Volpp
Medical Care. 46(6):606-613, June 2008.
Abstract HTML PDF

AHRQ - Resources on System Design

www.ahrq.gov/qual/systemdesign.htm

A valuable collection research, resources, and tools on system design developed with support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

AHRQ - Care Coordination

Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies: Volume 7—Care Coordination
Technical Review (Publication No. 04(07)-0051-7): www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/caregaptp.htm

The objectives of this report from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) were to develop a working definition of care coordination, apply it to a review of systematic reviews, and identify theoretical frameworks that
might predict or explain how care coordination mechanisms are influenced by factors in the health care setting and how they relate to patient outcomes and health care costs.

PDF

SBAR: Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation

The SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) technique developed by Kaiser Permanente and Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) provides a framework for communication between members of the health care team about a patient's condition.

Guidelines for Communicating with Physicians Using the SBAR Process (PDF)

SBAR report to physician about a critical situation worksheet (PDF)

see also:
www.innovations.ahrq.gov/content.aspx?id=150

AHRQ - Improving Healthcare, Improving Lives

Presentations from AHRQ’s first annual conference, September 26-28, 2007 are available here:
www.blsmeetings.net/2007AHRQANNUAL/Agenda.cfm

Conference themes:

• Data Sharing, Health Care Reporting, and the Public Trust
• Medication Management and Safety
• Strategies and Tools for Quality/Safety Improvement
• Value and Sustainability in Health IT
• Improving Health Care Decision Making
• System Design and Organizational Change
  
  

AHRQ - A Toolkit for Redesign in Health Care

www.ahrq.gov/qual/toolkit/
This toolkit prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) by Denver Health presents strategies for comprehensively redesigning and transforming processes of care in a hospital.

PDF File

Health Care Efficiency Measures: Identification, Categorization, and Evaluation.

http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/efficiency/

AHRQ Publication No. 08-0030, April 2008, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.

This report from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) presents a comprehensive review of the evidence on efficiency measurement.

PDF File,

Risk adjustment performance of Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidities in ICD-9 and ICD-10 administrative databases

Bing Li, Dewey Evans, Peter Faris, Stafford Dean, and Hude Quan

BMC Health Serv Res. 2008; 8: 12. Abstract Full Text PDF–232K

Audit: how to do it in practice

Andrea Benjamin
BMJ 2008;336:1241-1245
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Gao Report – Health Care associated Infections In Hospitals

Leadership Needed from HHS to Prioritize Prevention Practices and Improve Data on These Infections

GAO report

Public, Private Insurers Refusing to Pay Hospitals for Costs of Avoidable Errors Mike Mitka JAMA. 2008;299(21):2495-2496. EXTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Comparative indicators for cancer network management in England: Availability, characteristics and presentation

Mark McCarthy, Arturo Gonzalez-Izquierdo, Chris Sherlaw-Johnson, Artak Khachatryan, Michel P Coleman, and Bernard Rachet

BMC Health Serv Res. 2008; 8: 45.

| Abstract | Full Text | PDF–320K |

Measuring and explaining mortality in Dutch hospitals

The Hospital Standardized Mortality Rate between 2003 and 2005

Richard Heijink, Xander Koolman, Daniel Pieter, André van der Veen, Brian Jarman, and Gert Westert

BMC Health Serv Res. 2008; 8: 73.

| Abstract | Full Text | PDF–292K |