There is only one way to know if a change represents an improvement: measurement. It is important to track both process and outcomes measures when you are working to improve.
Outcomes Measures
These measures tell you whether changes are actually leading to improvement. The outcomes measures of interest in ICU care, in general, include ICU length of stay and ICU mortality.
Process Measures
These measures tell you if you are actually implementing the changes that you have chosen to adopt. In addition, process measures provide you with an indication of the reliability with which you have implemented individual "bundle" elements in the Ventilator Bundle and the Central Line Bundle.
The Rapid Response Team measures enable you to assess the utilization of Rapid Response Teams and their effectiveness in decreasing the number of patients who are coding outside of the ICU.
Control of glucose can reduce a patient’s risk for infections and mortality. The Glycemic Control Measures can help you track your improvement in this area.
