Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2008
Multicenter StudyImproving patient safety in intensive care units in Michigan.
The aim of this study was to describe the design and lessons learned from implementing a large-scale patient safety collaborative and the impact of an intervention on teamwork climate in intensive care units (ICUs) across the state of Michigan. ⋯ This study describes the first statewide effort to improve patient safety in ICUs. The use of the comprehensive unit-based safety program was associated with significant improvements in safety culture. This collaborative may serve as a model to implement feasible and methodologically rigorous methods to improve and sustain patient safety on a larger scale.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2008
Multicenter StudyAssessing organizational performance in intensive care units: a French experience.
The objective of the study was to assess and to explain variation of organizational performance in intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ A benchmarking approach can be used by ICU managers to assess the organizational performance of their ICU based on a validated questionnaire. Differences are mainly explained by cultural values and individual well-being factors, introducing new requirements for managing human resources in ICUs.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2008
Role of simulators, educational programs, and nontechnical skills in anesthesia resident selection, education, and competency assessment.
Theoretical knowledge for anesthesia residents requires learning from a variety of sources. Technical skills are important and simulators are being used in many centers. ⋯ Training is evolving and higher standards in this field should create safer anesthesiologists. Simulator-based education and testing and assessment of nontechnical skills should be a priority in anesthesia residency programs.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2008
The American Society of Anesthesiologists' national endorsement program for simulation centers.
Anesthesiologists pioneered the use of simulation for health care years ago, and expanded the use of the technology in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is supporting an accreditation process for simulation programs to ensure that practicing anesthesiologists and their patients benefit from innovative, experiential training that has the potential to improve care and foster a higher level of patient safety. The development of this accreditation process is discussed along with its anticipated benefits.