You recently reported on a national study of ED care from 1998 to 2004 ("Substandard E.D. Care: Treatment for MI, Pneumonia Falls Short," Clinical Rounds, January 2008).* Researchers found that the quality of care for patients with myocardial infarction or pneumonia was "below national goals" during the study period.
As a performance improvement coordinator, I'm involved with quality measures. My opinion is that ED care for patients with these conditions has greatly improved in the last 4 years. Additional quality initiatives, such as using order sets and protocols, have helped hospitals improve their data and outcomes.
DOREEN WALLACE, RN
La Plata, Md.
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