TABLE 7.

KEY RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR CRITICAL CARE: HEALTH SERVICE AND DELIVERY RESEARCH

1. Identify variables that affect outcomes and develop meaningful and reproducible performance metrics and improvement processes.

2. Identify strategies to improve communication and coordination of care delivery.

3. Determine those tools, processes, and programs (e.g., checklists and multidisciplinary rounds) that most effectively promote knowledge transfer and implementation.

4. Examine factors related to establishing a positive learning environment (e.g., technological advances, minimizing cognitive overload, and avoidance of burnout).

5. Examine strategies for preventing errors and facilitating error reporting, and assess the effects on patient outcomes.

6. Examine the effectiveness of interventions to measure and treat prevalent/distressing patient symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, confusion/delirium) and family symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress disorders).