[Quality control in imaging standards for stroke diagnosis]

Hospitals in "Rhineland-Palatinate" and "Saarland" as well as in other German states are using benchmarking in quality control and to improve diagnostic procedures and treatment in stroke. The goal is a continuous learning process in which participants improve their performance by comparing themselves to the highest quality care. CCT/MRI procedures are an important tool in stroke therapy and prophylaxis. Structural quality was good in all 39 participating hospitals. The best evidence-based indicator in quality control of CCT/MRI procedures is the process quality in performing these procedures within 3 h after stroke onset. Process quality was better in hospitals that cared for many stroke patients than in those with fewer cases. The latter hospitals also had less clinical and diagnostic competence. Benchmarking in quality control was successful because over the years improvement in stroke management was obvious in the participating hospitals.