Protocol-driven care in the intensive care unit: a tool for quality

doi:10.1186/cc1048

Critical Care
Volume 5
Issue 6

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Commentary

Protocol-driven care in the intensive care unit: a tool for quality

Richard J Wall¹, Robert S Dittus¹ and E Wesley Ely²

¹Division of General Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

²Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2001, 5:283-285doi:10.1186/cc1048


Published:	6 November 2001

Abstract

Advances in organization and patient management in the intensive care unit (ICU) have led to reductions in the morbidity and mortality suffered by critically ill patients. Two such advances include multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and the development of clinical protocols. The use of protocols and MDTs does not necessarily guarantee instant improvement in the quality of care, but it does offer useful tools for the pursuit of such objectives. As ICU physicians increasingly assume leadership roles in the pursuit of higher quality ICU care, their knowledge and skills in the discipline of quality improvement will become essential.