Quality indicators in intensive care medicine: why? Use or burden for the intensivist.

In order to improve the quality of treatment, one's own daily processes must be thoroughly mastered and evaluated to achieve transparency. This process of reflection can be supported by the presentation of key data or indicators that define the actual as-is state. For this purpose, quality indicators are required. These reflect the level of achievement of specific qualities. If an indicator proves no longer relevant, or the level of achievement reaches 100 %, continuing to record it is superfluous. With regard to intensive care medicine various countries have conducted investigations of quality indicators in. On the basis of standardized procedures a range of indicators with a relevant impact on the quality of medical treatment and thus outcome in critical ill patient have been identified. German intensive care societies have reached agreement on ten core quality indicators for intensive care that are to be recommended as valid for a period of two years in German ICUs.