Table 3.

Proposed best practice interventions and daily process of care indicators

Best practice	Process of care indicator	Unit of measurement
Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia	▪ head of bed elevation(≥ 30°) ▪ route of intubation	- Number of eligible patient-days with head elevation ≥ 30° - Number of eligible patient days associated with endotracheal intubation
Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism	▪ administration of anticoagulant prophylaxis during first 48 hours ▪ use of antiembolic stockings if pharmacoprophylaxis contraindicated	- Number of eligible patients receiving appropriate anticoagulant prophylaxis
Ventilator weaning strategy	▪ spontaneous breathing trial or extubation within previous 24 hours	- Number of eligible patient-days on which spontaneous breathing trial (or extubation) was performed
Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections	▪ 7-point checklist for sterile insertion completed ▪ fulfilment of all 7 criteria listed on checklist ▪ anatomic site of catheter insertion	- Number of central venous catheters inserted using all 7 criteria on checklist - Number of central venous catheters inserted at the subclavian site
Early enteral feeding	▪ Initiation of enteral feeds within 48 hours of ICU admission	- Number of eligible patients receiving early enteral feeding within 48 hours of ICU admission - Number of eligible patients achieving 50% of their target caloric goal via the enteral route by 72 hours
Pressure ulcer prevention	▪ Completion of the Braden index at least daily ▪ Use of specialized mattress or bedding material to relieve pressure	- Number of patient days with Braden index completed - Number of patients receiving specialized mattress or bedding/all eligible patients