Can quality improvement improve the quality of care? A systematic review of reported effects and methodological rigor in plan-do-study-act projects.

Background: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method is widely used in quality improvement (QI) strategies. However, previous studies have indicated that methodological problems are frequent in PDSA-based QI projects. Furthermore, it has been difficult to establish an association between the use of PDSA and improvements in clinical practices and patient outcomes.

Deepening our understanding of quality improvement in Europe (DUQuE): overview of a study of hospital quality management in seven countries.

Introduction And Objective: This paper provides an overview of the DUQuE (Deepening our Understanding of Quality Improvement in Europe) project, the first study across multiple countries of the European Union (EU) to assess relationships between quality management and patient outcomes at EU level. The paper describes the conceptual framework and methods applied, highlighting the novel features of this study.

Design: DUQuE was designed as a multi-level cross-sectional study with data collection at hospital, pathway, professional and patient level in eight countries.

Use of secondary medical prophylaxis and clinical outcome among patients with ischemic stroke: a nationwide follow-up study.

Background And Purpose: Although secondary medical prevention strategies in patients with stroke are well established, only sparse data exist regarding their effectiveness in routine care. We examined the effectiveness in a nationwide, population-based follow-up study.

Methods: Using data from the Danish National Indicator Project (DNIP), 28,612 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke in 2003 to 2006 were identified.

Medical prophylaxis following hospitalization for ischemic stroke: age- and sex-related differences and relation to mortality.

Background: The extent and implications of age- and sex-related differences in prophylaxis following ischemic stroke are unknown. We examined differences in the use of medical prophylaxis across age and sex groups in stroke patients after hospital discharge in Denmark and estimated the possible impact on age- and sex-related differences in mortality.

Methods: A nationwide population-based follow-up study was conducted involving 28,634 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke in 2003-2006 who survived 30 days after discharge.

[Towards evidence-based quality improvement].

Quality improvement has been an important topic in Danish health care during the past 20 years. Health care services research indicates that implementation of quality improvement strategies can improve the quality of care. Establishment of a research tradition within quality improvement is needed in order to systematically evaluate quality improvement strategies.