Limited Impact of a Multicenter Intervention To Improve the Quality and Efficiency of Pneumonia Care
CHEST JournalPublished 1 July 2004Open access
Ethan A. Halm, Carol R. Horowitz, Alan Silver, Alan M. Fein, Yosef Dlugacz, Bruce E. Hirsch
Citations47
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TL;DR
This real-world QI program was able to improve modestly on some quality indicators, but not effect resource use or patient knowledge of their disease.
Abstract
This real-world QI program was able to improve modestly on some quality indicators, but not effect resource use or patient knowledge of their disease. Changing physician and organizational behavior in academic health centers will require the development and implementation of more intensive, system-oriented strategies.
Keywords
MedicineHealth Professions
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