The intensive care unit (ICU) provides highly complex medical care requiring precision, synchronization, and coordination of multiple services and personnel.
Among the most challenging aspects of this clinical setting is the necessity to avoid complications from ventilators and central lines, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-related bloodstream infections.
The consistent application of best science using protocol-based strategies for ventilator management, ventilator weaning, sedation and analgesia management, and central line protocols have proven to significantly improve outcomes and reduce costs.
This process involves implementing an ICU model of care that establishes an organized system of ICU care, including daily rounds and daily goals, and improving clinical outcomes through the use of care "bundles" (for patients requiring ventilators and central lines) and the implementation of Rapid Response Teams to avoid "failure to rescue" scenarios.
Implementation of these changes can help improve ICU length of stay, ICU mortality, and overall hospital mortality. These results have been demonstrated in the literature and in IHI’s collaborative efforts. These interventions are detailed extensively herein and available now for performance improvement in your hospital.
