Improving patient outcomes through CQI: vascular access planning.

This article reports the use of the continuous quality improvement (CQI) process to improve patient outcomes. The FADE method (focus, analyze, develop, and execute) was used to focus on vascular access planning, analyze data concerning intravenous (i.v.) therapy, develop a vascular access planning algorithm, and execute implementation of the algorithm. An evaluation study revealed that patients whose vascular access planning was consistent with the algorithm reported fewer i.v.s, less difficulty starting i.v.s, and less stress; waited significantly less time until central venous line (CVL) placement (for those who received CVLs); and had significantly shorter lengths of stay.