Using statistical quality control techniques to monitor blood glucose levels.

Abstract Continuous Quality Improvement techniques developed in industry are increasingly being applied to the medical field. Statistical process control charts are a CQI technique aimed at monitoring a process and its variability. At our hospital, statistical quality control charts are being constructed from laboratory blood glucose measurements of patients receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition. The charts will be used to monitor glucose levels, reveal variations, and illustrate the effects of new protocols designed to manage glucose levels.