Development of an outcome/variance tracking tool for sedation and non-surgical procedures

A large academic cancer center devised a performance improvement plan for special procedures and sedation. A group of interdisciplinary professionals convened to address data collection, complications, and outcomes for non-surgical procedures and sedation. Administrative, medical, and nursing representatives from all areas in which these procedures are performed gathered to assess existing data and data collection methods and to develop an improvement plan. Gastroenterology, pulmonary, diagnostic imaging, intensive care, gynecology, genitourinary, hematology, and anesthesiology specialties were represented. The group was facilitated by staff from the institution's Office of Performance Improvement and co-chaired by an anesthesiologist and a pulmonary specialist. A representative from the Practice Outcomes Department was also an active participant. This article describes group process, design efforts, pilot testing, and analyses for this project. Pilot data are presented as well as a discussion of staff involvement.