Abstract
BackgroundFeedback is potentially effective in improving the quality of care. However, merely sending reports is no guarantee that performance data are used as input for systematic quality improvement (QI). Therefore, we developed a multifaceted intervention tailored to prospectively analyzed barriers to using indicators: the Information Feedback on Quality Indicators (InFoQI) program. This program aims to promote the use of performance indicator data as input for local systematic QI. We will conduct a study to assess the impact of the InFoQI program on patient outcome and organizational process measures of care, and to gain insight into barriers and success factors that affected the program's impact. The study will be executed in the context of intensive care. This paper presents the study's protocol.Methods/designWe will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial with intensive care units (ICUs) in the Netherlands. We will include ICUs that submit indicator data to the Dutch National Intensive Care Evaluation (NICE) quality registry and that agree to allocate at least one intensivist and one ICU nurse for implementation of the intervention. Eligible ICUs (clusters) will be randomized to receive basic NICE registry feedback (control arm) or to participate in the InFoQI program (intervention arm). The InFoQI program consists of comprehensive feedback, establishing a local, multidisciplinary QI team, and educational outreach visits. The primary outcome measures will be length of ICU stay and the proportion of shifts with a bed occupancy rate above 80%. We will also conduct a process evaluation involving ICUs in the intervention arm to investigate their actual exposure to and experiences with the InFoQI program.DiscussionThe results of this study will inform those involved in providing ICU care on the feasibility of a tailored multifaceted performance feedback intervention and its ability to accelerate systematic and local quality improvement. Although our study will be conducted within the domain of intensive care, we believe our conclusions will be generalizable to other settings that have a quality registry including an indicator set available.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN50542146
Highlights
Feedback is potentially effective in improving the quality of care
The results of this study will inform those involved in providing intensive care units (ICUs) care on the feasibility of a tailored multifaceted performance feedback intervention and its ability to accelerate systematic and local quality improvement
Our study will be conducted within the domain of intensive care, we believe our conclusions will be generalizable to other settings that have a quality registry including an indicator set available
Summary
This paper describes the protocol of a cluster randomized trial to evaluate the effect of the InFoQI program on the quality of ICU care and a qualitative process evaluation to gain insight into the barriers and success factors that affected the program’s impact. The program-tailored to prospectively identified barriers and facilitators-consists of comprehensive feedback reports, establishing a local, multidisciplinary QI team, and educational outreach visits We expect that this multifaceted intervention will improve the quality of ICU care by enabling ICUs to overcome known barriers to using performance data as input for local QI activities. Building on an existing indicator set results in a clear strength of our study, because we are able to use the data collection methods as currently applied by the NICE registry This will increase the feasibility of the InFoQI program, because eligible ICUs already routinely collect the necessary data items as a result of their participation in NICE; participation in the InFoQI program does not require additional data collection activities. Additional file 2: Content of the feedback reports Summary of the content of the quarterly and monthly InFoQI feedback reports
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
