A data-driven approach to improving clinical outcomes in cardiac care

J Healthc Qual. 1999 Mar-Apr;21(2):32-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.1999.tb00950.x.

Abstract

The performance improvement department at The Queen's Medical Center (QMC) in Honolulu, has been monitoring the outcomes of cardiovascular interventional procedures and cardiothoracic surgical procedures. By using an institution-wide database as well as participating in national cardiac databases, a set of clinical indicators is tracked, and quarterly reports are provided to the cardiovascular medicine (CV) and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery (TCV) services. After reviewing the data, a combined CV/TCV/anesthesia morbidity and mortality committee meets monthly to further evaluate the data, review cases, and formulate action plans based upon the findings. Using these tools and methods, we have seen a marked improvement in clinical outcomes among cardiac patients.

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / standards*
  • Databases, Factual
  • Hawaii
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Morbidity
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Software Design
  • Surgery Department, Hospital / standards*
  • Total Quality Management