Considering chance in quality and safety performance measures: an analysis of performance reports by boards in English NHS trusts.
Anhøj J, Hellesøe A-MB. The problem with red, amber, green: the need to avoid distraction by random variation in organisational performance measures. BMJ Qual Saf. 2016;26(1):81-84. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004951.
Hospital boards have been urged to take responsibility for patient safety, but little is known about their ability to interpret quality and safety data. This study determined that data presented to board members almost never included error bars or control lines on charts or graphs, which limits ability to interpret the data. The authors advocate for use of control charts by hospital boards in quality and safety assessment and decision making.