Continuous quality improvement in dialysis units: Basic tools

Physicians and allied health professionals are expected to understand and p articipate in the assessment and improvement of the quality of care deliver ed to patients in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment centers. Partici pating in the quality improvement process will bring clinicians into contac t with special knowledge and skills drawn from the areas of statistical pro cess control and industrial engineering. Some of the more frequently encoun tered of these concepts and tools are described. (C) 2001 by the National K idney Foundation, Inc.