Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 June 2012
This study focused upon one critical condition, acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI), and the treatment patterns used before and after a training program designed to teach hospital personnel the most current methods of treating acute respiratory insufficiency. The study was a methodological investigation in which a means for collecting and analyzing data concerning the treatment of an acute health problem was developed, implemented, and assessed. It was also an attempt to evaluate the quality of treatment of ARI in a set of hospitals and to assess the extent to which a training program was able to affect the quality of treatment. Thirdly, the study was an epidemiological investigation of the extent to which ARI exists in hospital critical care units.