The authors noted increasing use of Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs), and evaluated whether analysis of PSIs contributes to improved patient safety. PSIs are calculated through administrative data, and the authors suggested that without organizational learning, PSIs and other measurements may not be as effective. They describe a process for using PSIs to improve organizational learning.
The authors also discuss the distinction between process measures and outcome measures. Process measures may be more effective for long-term improvement, yet may not be as reliable or valid as outcome measures. A combination of multiple sources of data might be more valuable to an organization.
Rivard, P. E., Rosen, A. K., & Carroll, J. S. (2006). Enhancing patient safety through organizational learning: Are patient safety indicators a step in the right direction? Health Services Research, 41(4p2), 1633–1653. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6773.2006.00569.x