Standardization as a mechanism to improve safety in health care (January 2004)

Summary

An increasing number of studies show that when patterns of care are widely divergent, clinical outcomes suffer and, as a result, safety and reliability may be compromised. This article from Rozich et al. discusses how standardisation may help to increase uniformity of practice, increase safety, and possibly reduce costs. Also described is an effort made by Luther Midlefort, Mayo Health System, to reduce variation by creating a system-wide protocol for insulin use. After six weeks, Luther Midelfort achieved a great reduction in the number of hypoglycaemic events as a result of standardised practices.