Does Surveillance Bias Influence the Validity of Measures of Inpatient Complications? A Systematic Review.

Surveillance bias may threaten the accuracy of inpatient complication measures. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine whether surveillance bias influences the validity of selected Patient Safety Indicator- and health care associated infection-related measures. Ten venous thromboembolism (VTE) articles were identified: 7 trauma related, 3 postoperative, and 1 central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) article.

Results of a Regional Effort to Improve Warfarin Management.

Background: Improved anticoagulation control with warfarin reduces adverse events and represents a target for quality improvement. No previous study has described an effort to improve anticoagulation control across a health system.

Objective: To describe the results of an effort to improve anticoagulation control in the New England region of the Veterans Health Administration (VA).