Quality Indicators of Care in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Critical care is a vital hospital service and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is the area where the sickest patients in hospital are treated. These desperately unwell patients may come from the general wards, both medical and surgical, the Accident and Emergency Department, or the operating theatres. The staff of the critical care unit use modern high technology organ support to save patients’ lives. Over three-quarters of patients survive and are discharged to other wards to complete their recovery. The intensive care unit (ICU) is a hospital unit delivering continuous surveillance and highly specialized care to critically ill patients, either medical or surgical. Patients’ conditions are life-threatening and require comprehensive care. Aims: The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive set of structure, process, and outcome indicators that measures aspects of all domains of the quality of care at intensive care unit. Conclusions: Intensive care unit is an area in a hospital that constitutes substantial risk of morbidity and mortality. Established approximately five decades ago, the ICU is now a fundamental part of hospital care. It presents itself as the knowledge that aims to help patients with extended needs of care and organ support. So, we can say that intensive care faces economic challenges. Therefore, evidence proving both effectiveness and efficiency i.e. cost-effectiveness, of delivered care is needed. Today, the quality of care is an important issue in the health care debate. Keywords: Quality Indicators, Intensive Care Unit, Medical staff