Quality indicators in respiratory therapy

Table 1 Essential characteristics and description of indicators related to clinical departments

Characteristics	Description
Measurement objective	Statistical performance is measured over time
Structure	About the structure of the department
Process	About the processes in department
Outcomes	About the outcomes in department
Characteristic measured
Quality	Effectiveness, efficiency, equity, patient orientation are the measures of quality
Safety	Timeliness and other aspects of safety are measures of safety
Numerical expression used
Sentinel	When occurrence is rare and can be captured as numbers against time
Percentage	When occurrence is more common and can be easily understood as percentages
Rate	When occurrence needs to be understood and compared to a benchmark
Numerator used
Sentinel	Occurrence in numbers
Percentage	Occurrence in numbers
Rate	Occurrence in numbers
Denominator used
Sentinel	Generally, time in days, weeks, months, or years
Percentage	Total number studied
Rate	Usually, number of patient days
Multiplication factor used
Sentinel	None
Percentage	100
Rate	1000
Formula used
Sentinel	Numerator/Denominator
Percentage	Numerator/Denominator × 100
Rate	Numerator /Denominator × 1000
Definition	Precise definition of numerator and denominator must be made and accepted by all stakeholders
Start and end times	If the indicator measures start or end times, either in numerator or denominator, then these must be precisely defined
Continuous or intermittent monitoring	Some indicators must be monitored continuously without any interruption and others may need intermittent monitoring
Sample size	Sample size must be scientifically planned based on the sample volume. The sampling methodology must be scientifically validated