The Vascular Project: using data to improve processes and outcomes.

Fiscal accountability by health care providers has become a theme in health care delivery systems; however, evaluation of outcomes on the basis of cost alone may minimize the importance of patient needs and the quality of the care delivered. Mechanisms related to resource identification and allocation has to be driven by internal data and information systems that consider clinical, financial, administrative, and patient satisfaction data. This article will define processes, outcomes and outcomes measurement, and management. Various nursing-sensitive outcomes will be presented and their establishment, tracking, interpretation, and effect on the delivery of patient care in a newly opened vascular unit will be highlighted.