Measuring Quality Improvement in Healthcare: A Guide to Statistical Process Control Applications

Rating:
Summary: Terrific intro to Statistical Process Control
Review: As a physician who is becoming more involved with quality control, I found this to be an outstanding introduction to the concepts of statistical process control. The abundant practical examples provide a guide as to how these principles can be used effectively in the health care setting. I recommend Carey's book to anyone who wants to get serious about managing the process of quality in healthcare -- I'm buying another copy to share with my staff!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific intro to Statistical Process Control
Review: As a physician who is becoming more involved with quality control, I found this to be an outstanding introduction to the concepts of statistical process control. The abundant practical examples provide a guide as to how these principles can be used effectively in the health care setting. I recommend Carey's book to anyone who wants to get serious about managing the process of quality in healthcare -- I'm buying another copy to share with my staff!

Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: Out of all the quality books I have read, this one worst. Mr. Carey has neither the know-how or scope to fully take on any of the issues at hand.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for the right audience
Review: This book does an excellent job of introducing the reader to the concept of applying Statistical Process Control. Through a great number of mini case studies it shows a number of possible applications. Probably more importantly it amply demonstrates the when to be concerned and when to continue monitoring the situation before reacting.

This is NOT a technical book. The few formulae that are presented are relegated to a small appendix and are virtually unusable. This makes the book more suitable for administrators than for quants.

People actually conducting the studies will not find what they need in terms of formulae. They will find what they need to understand which type of chart is appropriate and how to interpret the results.

Ideally the authors should have included software to actually do the calculations. This would have allowed the non-technical people to actually do their own studies rather than just interpet what others have done.