• Hans Ulrich Rothen and Jukka Takala.
• Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. hrothen@insel.ch
• Curr Opin Crit Care. 2008 Oct 1;14(5):513-9.

Purpose Of ReviewIntensive care medicine consumes a high share of healthcare costs, and there is growing pressure to use the scarce resources efficiently. Accordingly, organizational issues and quality management have become an important focus of interest in recent years. Here, we will review current concepts of how outcome data can be used to identify areas requiring action.Recent FindingsUsing recently established models of outcome assessment, wide variability between individual ICUs is found, both with respect to outcome and resource use. Such variability implies that there are large differences in patient care processes not only within the ICU but also in pre-ICU and post-ICU care. Indeed, measures to improve the patient process in the ICU (including care of the critically ill, patient safety, and management of the ICU) have been presented in a number of recently published papers.SummaryOutcome assessment models provide an important framework for benchmarking. They may help the individual ICU to spot appropriate fields of action, plan and initiate quality improvement projects, and monitor the consequences of such activity.

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