Quality indicators compliance survey in Indian intensive care units

Abstract

Context: The quality of health care and outcomes of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have been a major subject of discussion in the past decade. Quality indicators in ICUs maintain an order of uniformity and standard care of delivery across ICUs. Aims: In this study, we tried to analyze the percentage compliance of quality indicators in ICU across our country. Methods: Four hundred complete questionnaire forms were collected in two stages by means of conducting a survey and through email responses to the survey questionnaire. Data were tabulated and evaluated in percentage responses. Results: Monitoring of infection control measures such as hand hygiene (77%), monitoring of ICU-acquired infections (>75%), and quality and policy measures (>70%) were promising. Improvements are required in following end-of-life pathways (52%) and staffing patterns in ICU. ICU discharge timings (41%), standardized mortality ratio monitoring (39%), and multidisciplinary rounds (58%) in ICUs are few areas we need to develop further. Conclusion: The future of critical care looks promising with growing number of trained intensivists and hospitals functioning with an average ICU bed strength of 30-40. Such surveys need to be performed regularly to improve the patient care and safety across ICUs.