Robert C. Groom, MS, CCP
Objective: Review the process of transforming data into information that may be displayed on an instrument panel. Attendees will learn how an instrument panel may be used to inform the microsystem and enhance sustainable improvement.
Cardiac surgery patients commonly receive care within several separate units in the hospital that are highly interdependent however geographically and organizationally distinct. The movement of the patient thru these units during their hospitalization can prove to be challenging for the team as they strive to provide care that optimal, seamless and continuous. Cohesive performance improvement efforts are difficult to initiate due to challenges posed by this relationship. An instrument panel may be used to disseminate information about the microsystem that will inform members of about the system’s performance in various domains such as; mortality, morbidity, satisfaction, and costi. Key performance variables may be selected by the team and displayed on control charts. The control charts should be updated quarterly to provide current information about the performance of the system to all staff involved in the care of cardiac surgery patients. The team should meet regularly to discuss the performance of the system and to plan process improvements related to the data. Once process improvements are made the team members will be able to observe the effects of the changes that were implemented and assess if the process change produced the desired effect.
Summary: An instrument panel is a useful tool that unifies disciplines around key measures, focuses the team and provides direction related to improvement opportunities.
