The effect of small peer group continuous quality improvement on the clinical practice of midwives in The Netherlands

Objective: To study the effects of small group continuous quality improvement (CQI) on the clinical practice of midwives in the Netherlands. Design: Randomised pre-/post-test (balanced block). Intervention: The CQI groups were assigned to either the set of peer review topics including 'perineal repair' and 'artificial rupture of the membranes ...

Suboptimal care and perinatal mortality in ten European regions: Methodology and evaluation of an international audit

Background: A European concerted action (the EuroNatal study) investigated differences in perinatal mortality between countries of Europe. This report describes the methods used in the EuroNatal international audit and discusses the validity of the results. Methods: Perinatal deaths between 1993 and 1998 in regions of ten European countries were...

Op weg naar een accreditatiesysteem van Nederlandse ziekenhuizen [Towards an accreditation system of Dutch hospitals]

The development of the Netherlands system for accreditation of hospitals started in 1989 in the Pilotproject Accreditation (PACE). This resulted in the establishment of the Netherlands Institute for Accreditation of Hospitals (NIAH) early 1999, by the Dutch Association of Hospitals, the Dutch Association of University Hospitals, the Dutch...

IMIA Working Group 15: Technology assessment and quality development in health informatics

The working group on technology assessment and quality development in health informatics was established as a follow-up to the recommendations made at the IMIA-ISTAHC working conference in 1990. The working group was approved by the IMIA General Assembly at Kyoto, September, 1993. The working group aims to further develop the field of technology...

Quality and safety aspects of reusable plastic food packaging materials: A European study to underpin future legislation

The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive package of quality assurance criteria for use by industry and regulatory authorities for ensuring the quality and safety-in-use (sensory, microbiological and chemical) of reused plastics for food packaging. The study included thermal degradation effects, flavour carry-over caused by...

Characterising ultrasonic physiotherapy systems by performance and safety now internationally agreed

The IEC 1689 standard specifies: methods of measurement, characterisation of the output performance, requirements for safety due to the ultrasonic field generated, characteristics to be declared by manufacturers and acceptance criteria for aspects of performance. For the characterisation, reference as well as routine testing methods are...

Evaluation plan for a cardiological multi-media workstation (I4C project)

The goal of the I4C project (Integration and Communication for the Continuity of Cardiac Care) is to build a multi-media workstation for cardiac care and to assess its impact in the clinical setting. This paper describes the technical evaluation plan for the prototype.

Implications of minimally invasive therapy

The field of minimally invasive therapy (MIT) raises many important issues for the future of health care. It seems inevitable that MIT will replace much conventional surgery. This trend is good for society and good for patients. The health care system, however, may find the change disruptive. The need for hospital beds will shrink. Day surgery...

Quality assurance issues and PACS

Quality assessment and assurance is a growing concern in all areas of health care. The concern is fueled by a body of evidence that indicates that quality of care is not optimal, and in many instances, is unacceptably low. Although different standards for quality have been proposed, health outcome is the ultimate standard, since improving health...