A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Lung Expansion Therapies After Upper Abdominal Surgery.

Background: Lung expansion therapy is often ordered after surgery to improve alveolar ventilation and reduce risks of postoperative pulmonary complications. The impact of lung expansion therapy at altering ventilation in patients who are not intubated has not been described. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in dorsal redistribution of ventilation and incidences of postoperative pulmonary complications when comparing incentive spirometry (IS) with EzPAP lung expansion therapy after upper abdominal surgery.

Balanced scorecard for methodology for total performance improvement.

Health care organizations are complex adaptive systems, a set of connected or interdependent parts or agents that include caregivers, patients, and processes. Consequently, health care organizations are prone to problems and are not always predictable environments. Fundamental changes are needed in the organization and in the delivery of health care in the United States.

Quality and performance improvement in respiratory care.

An essential responsibility of the modern respiratory care manager is to establish and monitor a particular level of quality and service being provided by a department. Focusing on quality and performance improvement fosters an environment that empowers and encourages all employees to be innovative and resolve roadblocks that limit organizational performance. This article discusses the issues regarding quality and performance improvement that arise in the daily operations of a respiratory care department.