As we investigated applied methodologies and outcomes in several areas of cardiothoracic surgery in Europe, differences have become evident. The aim of this thesis is therefore to assess these differences, the methods that are used, to define areas for improvement, as well as approaches toward harmonisation and improvement of outcomes. Harmonisation and improvement lead to best practices and improved quality. As the objective assessment of quality takes place by comparison with external sources, the chapters in this thesis are all characterised by this adagium. Formal scientific comparison between organisations, measuring quantitative results, lead to insights in the causes of quality differences in critical operational data.
The studies, presented in this thesis demonstrate that diversity of methods and systems is large; particularly in Europe. In order to provide the desired insights in the diversity of European practices, we aim to demonstrate where there is room for improvement in order to pave the way for future quality advancement projects.

A.J.J.C. Bogers (Ad) , K.C. Caliskan (Kadir)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/127292
Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

de By, T. (2020, May 27). “International Benchmarking in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery”: Quality Improvement by Comparison of Outcome Data. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/127292