ABSTRACT
The management of trauma and critical care consumes a significant portion of the healthcare budget and has become progressively more complex. Numerous conditions remain associated with high mortalities despite intensive resource allocation. Accordingly, traumatologists and intensivists are increasingly challenged to measure and improve outcomes. Governmental agencies, accrediting bodies, and third-party payers increasingly evaluate performance for quality outcomes as well as cost-effectiveness. Consumers seeking quality healthcare have greater access than before to hospital quality data and performance indicators (mortality rates, lengths of stay, complication rates, volumes etc.), which compare outcomes across institutions and providers. Accordingly, clinicians and researchers want to evaluate and improve the quality of care delivered and identify “best practices” in the treatment of their patients.
