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Control Techniques (control + techniques)
Kinds of Control Techniques Selected AbstractsControl techniques for Culicoides biting midges and their application in the U.K. and northwestern PalaearcticMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2008S. CARPENTER Abstract The recent emergence of bluetongue virus (Reoviridae: Orbivirus) (BTV) in northern Europe, for the first time in recorded history, has led to an urgent need for methods to control the disease caused by this virus and the midges that spread it. This paper reviews various methods of vector control that have been employed elsewhere and assesses their likely efficacy for controlling vectors of BTV in northern Europe. Methods of controlling Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have included: (a) application of insecticides and pathogens to habitats where larvae develop; (b) environmental interventions to remove larval breeding sites; (c) controlling adult midges by treating either resting sites, such as animal housing, or host animals with insecticides; (d) housing livestock in screened buildings, and (e) using repellents or host kairomones to lure and kill adult midges. The major vectors of BTV in northern Europe are species from the Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides pulicaris (L.) groups, for which there are scant data on breeding habits, resting behaviour and host-oriented responses. Consequently, there is little information on which to base a rational strategy for controlling midges or for predicting the likely impact of interventions. However, data extrapolated from the results of vector control operations conducted elsewhere, combined with some assessment of how acceptable or not different methods may be within northern Europe, indicate that the treatment of livestock and animal housing with pyrethroids, the use of midge-proofed stabling for viraemic or high-value animals and the promotion of good farm practice to at least partially eliminate local breeding sites are the best options currently available. Research to assess and improve the efficacy of these methods is required and, in the longer term, efforts should be made to develop better bait systems for monitoring and, possibly, controlling midges. All these studies will need better methods of analysing the ecology and behaviour of midges in the field than are currently in use. The paucity of control options and basic knowledge serve to warn us that we must be better prepared for the possible emergence of other midge-borne diseases, particularly African horse sickness. [source] APPLYING MACHINE LEARNING TO LOW-KNOWLEDGE CONTROL OF OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMSCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 4 2005Tom Carchrae This paper addresses the question of allocating computational resources among a set of algorithms to achieve the best performance on scheduling problems. Our primary motivation in addressing this problem is to reduce the expertise needed to apply optimization technology. Therefore, we investigate algorithm control techniques that make decisions based only on observations of the improvement in solution quality achieved by each algorithm. We call our approach "low knowledge" since it does not rely on complex prediction models, either of the problem domain or of algorithm behavior. We show that a low-knowledge approach results in a system that achieves significantly better performance than all of the pure algorithms without requiring additional human expertise. Furthermore the low-knowledge approach achieves performance equivalent to a perfect high-knowledge classification approach. [source] A practical 3D measurement system based on projection pattern control techniquesELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 11 2009Genki Cho Abstract Most of the recent 3D image measurement methods have employed certain pattern projection techniques because of their higher reliabilities. Especially, the intensity-modulated technique can detect more stripe addresses by a single projection and therefore is very much expected for its practical use in the near future. The traditional techniques of this type, however, have encountered several serious problems where 3D measurements are difficult in sensitivity, speed and accuracy or fatally impossible for unknown objects. In order to solve these problems, we propose an automatic control technique of angle and space frequency of projection pattern. Furthermore, for security of measurement accuracy and measurement speed, projection pattern intensity control technique and optimal intensity-modulation projection technique are adopted in the proposal measurement system. By using the proposed technique the automatic 3D measurement intended for the geostationary objects and the swaying objects were realized in experimental results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 34,41, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10147 [source] Load frequency control for power system with reheat steam turbine and governor deadband non-linearity by using neural network controllerEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 3 2002H. L. Zeynelgil In this paper, a neural network (NN) controller is presented for load-frequency control of power system. The NN controller uses back propagation-through-time algorithm. In the power system, the reheat effect of the steam turbine and the effect of governor deadband non-linearity are considered by describing function approach in the state space model. By comparing the results of simulations, the performance of the NN controller is better than conventional controller. NN controller gives a shorter settling time and eliminates the necessity of parameter estimation time required in conventional adaptive control techniques. [source] Spectral Theory for Perturbed SystemsGAMM - MITTEILUNGEN, Issue 1 2009Fritz Colonius Abstract This paper presents an overview of topological, smooth, and control techniques for dynamical systems and their interrelations for the study of perturbed systems. We concentrate on spectral analysis via linearization of systems. Emphasis is placed on parameter dependent perturbed systems and on a comparison of the Markovian and the dynamical structure of systems with Markov diffusion perturbation process. A number of applications is provided (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Characterization of surface storage and runoff patterns following peatland restoration, Quebec, CanadaHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 18 2006M. A. Shantz Abstract Blocking drainage ditches and creating bunds to limit surface water losses are important for restoring abandoned peat-extraction sites in North America. However, these runoff control techniques have not been well characterized, particularly during the snowmelt period. Therefore, patterns of runoff timing and magnitude were evaluated in a peatland (Bois-des-Bel, Quebec, Canada) undergoing restoration (restored site), in comparison with an unrestored section of the same peatland (unrestored site). Snowmelt dominated runoff, representing over 79% of the April to August runoff for both sites in 2001. Low (25,35 cm) bunds constructed on the restored site detained water for much of the melt period, but some water loss occurred where bunds were breached. Overland flow and surface ponding were prevalent at the restored site, but were not evident at the unrestored site. At the restored site, the presence of bunds and frozen, saturated (thus impermeable) ground contributed to differences in snowmelt runoff patterns relative to the unrestored site. In the post-snowmelt period (May,August 2001 and 2002), restored site runoff was reduced to 25% of that lost at the unrestored site. Both hydrometric and chemical hydrograph separation analysis using electrical conductivity indicated that blocked ditches restricted water losses from much of the restored site during the summer months, when the bunds had little effect on runoff. However, discharge peaks were greater at the restored site relative to the unrestored site and generally occurred more quickly following rainfall, because of the wetter antecedent conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Haptic motion control for physical human supportIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009Tomoyuki Shimono Member Abstract Future robots and mechatronic systems will be required to physically support human activities. In order to reach the stage of real human-friendly physical support, they should acquire many functions such as the recognition of the real world based on complicated human actions, the transmission of the ambient information in harmony with human sensation, and so on. Since haptic sensation, as well as visual information and auditory sensation are so important for human activities, haptic motion control is one of the most important issues for the purpose. This paper now presents some haptic motion control techniques as the fundamental technology for the realization of future physical human support. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Stability and accuracy analysis of a discrete model reference adaptive controller without and with time delayINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 9 2010Oreste S. Bursi Abstract Adaptive control techniques can be applied to dynamical systems whose parameters are unknown. We propose a technique based on control and numerical analysis approaches to the study of the stability and accuracy of adaptive control algorithms affected by time delay. In particular, we consider the adaptive minimal control synthesis (MCS) algorithm applied to linear time-invariant plants, due to which, the whole controlled system generated from state and control equations discretized by the zero-order-hold (ZOH) sampling is nonlinear. Hence, we propose two linearization procedures for it: the first is via what we term as physical insight and the second is via Taylor series expansion. The physical insight scheme results in useful methods for a priori selection of the controller parameters and of the discrete-time step. As there is an inherent sampling delay in the process, a fixed one-step delay in the discrete-time MCS controller is introduced. This results in a reduction of both the absolute stability regions and the controller performance. Owing to the shortcomings of ZOH sampling in coping with high-frequency disturbances, a linearly implicit L-stable integrator is also used within a two degree-of-freedom controlled system. The effectiveness of the methodology is confirmed both by simulations and by experimental tests. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Passivity-based sliding mode control for nonlinear systemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 9 2008Ali J. Koshkouei Abstract Passivity with sliding mode control for a class of nonlinear systems with and without unknown parameters is considered in this paper. In fact, a method for deriving a nonlinear system with external disturbances to a passive system is considered. Then a passive sliding mode control is designed corresponding to a given storage function. The passivity property guarantees the system stability while sliding mode control techniques assures the robustness of the proposed controller. When the system includes unknown parameters, an appropriate updated law is obtained so that the new transformed system is passive. The passivation property of linear systems with sliding mode is also analysed. The linear and nonlinear theories are applied to a simple pendulum model and the gravity-flow/pipeline system, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Multiple input,multiple output adaptive feedback control strategies for the active headrest system: design and real-time implementationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 10 2003Marek Pawelczyk Abstract In this article, multiple input,multiple output adaptive feedback control techniques for acoustic noise control in a headrest system are developed. The main goal underlying their design is to provide acoustic comfort to the user, i.e. high noise attenuation level over possibly large areas at the ears. Classical Internal Model Control system does not yield acceptable performance. An approach based on estimates of the residual noise at the ears is then proposed. It is shown that increase in the number of secondary sources to operate for one channel improves the performance. The experiments of tonal noise control are performed on an originally set-up prototype of the active headrest system. The results obtained are illustrated in the promoted form of distribution of zones of quiet. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Switching contact task control in hydraulic actuators: Stability analysis and experimental evaluationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 17 2009P. Sekhavat Abstract A switching contact task control for hydraulic actuators is proposed. The controller is built upon three individually designed control laws for three phases of motion: (1) position regulation in free space, (2) impact suppression and stable transition from free to constrained motion and (3) force regulation in sustained-contact motion. The position and force control schemes are capable of asymptotic set-point regulation in the presence of actuator friction and without the complexity of sliding mode or adaptive control techniques. The intermediate impact control scheme is included for the first time to dampen the undesirable impacts and dissipate the impact energy that could potentially drive the whole system unstable. The solution concept and the stability of the complete switching control system are analyzed rigorously using the Filippov's solution concept and the concept of Lyapunov exponents. Both computer simulations and experiments are carried out to demonstrate the efficacy of the designed switching control law. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Global stabilization of uncertain stochastic nonlinear time-delay systems by output feedbackINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 9 2008Peng Cui Abstract Constructive control techniques have been proposed for controlling strict feedback (lower triangular form) stochastic nonlinear systems with a time-varying time delay in the state. The uncertain nonlinearities are assumed to be bounded by polynomial functions of the outputs multiplied by unmeasured states or delayed states. The delay-independent output feedback controller making the closed-loop system globally asymptotically stable is explicitly constructed by using a linear dynamic high-gain observer in combination with a linear dynamic high-gain controller. A simulation example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design procedure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A stability guaranteed active fault-tolerant control system against actuator failuresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 12 2004Midori Maki Abstract In this paper, a new strategy for fault-tolerant control system design has been proposed using multiple controllers. The design of such controllers is shown to be unique in the sense that the resulting control system neither suffers from the problem of conservativeness of conventional passive fault-tolerant control nor from the risk of instability associated with active fault-tolerant control in case that an incorrect fault detection and isolation decision is made. In other words, the stability of the closed-loop system is always ensured regardless of the decision made by the fault detection and isolation scheme. A correct decision will further lead to optimal performance of the closed-loop system. This paper deals with the conflicting requirements among stability, redundancy, and graceful degradation in performance for fault-tolerant control systems by using robust control techniques. A detailed design procedure has been presented with consideration of parameter uncertainties. Both total and partial actuator failures have been considered. This new control strategy has been demonstrated by controlling a McDonnell F-4C airplane in the lateral-direction through simulation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adaptive robust stabilization of dynamic nonholonomic chained systemsJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 3 2001S. S. Ge In this article, the stabilization problem is investigated for dynamic nonholonomic systems with unknown inertia parameters and disturbances. First, to facilitate control system design, the nonholonomic kinematic subsystem is transformed into a skew-symmetric form and the properties of the overall systems are discussed. Then, a robust adaptive controller is presented in which adaptive control techniques are used to compensate for the parametric uncertainties and sliding mode control is used to suppress the bounded disturbances. The controller guarantees the outputs of the dynamic subsystem (the inputs to the kinematic subsystem) to track some bounded auxiliary signals which subsequently drive the kinematic subsystem to the origin. In addition, it can also be shown all the signals in the closed loop are bounded. Simulation studies on the control of a unicycle wheeled mobile robot are used to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] An experimental test of a visual-based push,pull strategy for control of wood boring phytosanitary pestsAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Stephen Mark Pawson Abstract 1,International phytosanitary standards require mandatory fumigation for key wood boring beetle pests prior to export. Pressure to reduce the use of toxic fumigants has created a need for alternative control techniques. 2,A visual based push,pull strategy that exploits a differential attraction to yellow and ultra violet (UV) lights was tested for its efficacy at controlling Cerambycidae. 3,The relative attraction of four ,push' lighting treatments [two yellow (high and low-pressure Sodium), one white (metal halide) and a control (no light)] to beetles was assessed. Highly attractive UV ,pull' traps were compared with a paired control trap, the difference used as a measure of the UV traps attractiveness to residual beetles attracted by ,push' lights. 4,Trap catch beneath the two yellow ,push' lights was more similar to the control (no light) treatment than the white light for both species. Control ,push' lights had the highest average catch of Arhopalus ferus, whereas white light was least attractive. This finding was counter intuitive to expectations, and potential mechanisms are discussed. The white ,push' light was most attractive to Prionoplus reticularis. 5,Ultraviolet ,pull' traps were highly attractive to residual beetles drawn to yellow ,push' light treatments. Relative attraction to the UV ,pull' traps beneath control and white ,push' lights differed between species. 6,The results obtained suggest that a push,pull strategy combining yellow site lighting with UV kill traps could provide site specific control of wood borers. Future research should attempt large-scale trials that are subject to competing alternative stimuli at a wood processing site. [source] Sequential and iterative architectures for distributed model predictive control of nonlinear process systemsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2010Jinfeng Liu Abstract In this work, we focus on distributed model predictive control of large scale nonlinear process systems in which several distinct sets of manipulated inputs are used to regulate the process. For each set of manipulated inputs, a different model predictive controller is used to compute the control actions, which is able to communicate with the rest of the controllers in making its decisions. Under the assumption that feedback of the state of the process is available to all the distributed controllers at each sampling time and a model of the plant is available, we propose two different distributed model predictive control architectures. In the first architecture, the distributed controllers use a one-directional communication strategy, are evaluated in sequence and each controller is evaluated only once at each sampling time; in the second architecture, the distributed controllers utilize a bi-directional communication strategy, are evaluated in parallel and iterate to improve closed-loop performance. In the design of the distributed model predictive controllers, Lyapunov-based model predictive control techniques are used. To ensure the stability of the closed-loop system, each model predictive controller in both architectures incorporates a stability constraint which is based on a suitable Lyapunov-based controller. We prove that the proposed distributed model predictive control architectures enforce practical stability in the closed-loop system and optimal performance. The theoretical results are illustrated through a catalytic alkylation of benzene process example. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AND MEASURING GUSTATORY REACTION TIMESJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2000MIGUELINA GUIRAO ABSTRACT Reaction Time (RT) procedures are widely used in cognitive and behavioral experiments. In the sensory realm RT has been traditionally applied to measure visual, auditory or motor responses. The application of the RT method to gustatory stimuli has proved to be difficult. Attempts to develop automatic control techniques have been restrained by difficulties related to the control of variables, e.g. physiochemical characteristics of chemical solutions and the procedure for stimulus presentation. In this report we describe a computer based system that was designed to measure the reaction time to taste solutions dropped on the tongue. The equipment consists of a pumping system, an interface between the computer and the pumping system, the software required to control the interface and to measure reaction time, and a push button to detect the subject's response. The system can be used as a tool for both research and evaluation tests. [source] Development and validation of a simulation model for blowfly strike of sheepMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2002R. Wall Abstract A comprehensive simulation model for sheep blowfly strike due to Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), which builds on previously published versions but also incorporates important new empirical data, is used to explain patterns of lamb and ewe strike recorded on 370 farms in south-west, south-east and central England and Wales. The model is able to explain a significant percentage of the variance in lamb strike incidence in all four regions, and ewe strike in three of the four regions. The model is able to predict the start of seasonal blowfly strike within one week in three of the four regions for both ewes and lambs, and within 3 weeks in the fourth region. It is concluded that the accuracy of the model will allow it to be used to assess the likely efficacy of new control techniques and the effects of changes in existing husbandry practices on strike incidence. The model could also be used to give sheep farmers advance warning of approaching strike problems. However, the ability to forecast future strike patterns is dependent on the accuracy of the weather projections; the more long-term the forecast, the more approximate the prediction is likely to be. When applied on a regional basis, model forecasts indicate expected average patterns of strike incidence and may not therefore be appropriate for individual farmers whose husbandry practices differ substantially from the average. [source] Chronic Pain in the Cancer Survivor: A New FrontierPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Allen W. Burton MD ABSTRACT Objective., This monograph is intended to clarify the clinical problem of chronic pain in cancer patients. Design., A pertinent literature review on chronic pain syndromes in cancer patients was undertaken using Medline. Further, the treatment strategies for cancer versus chronic pain are contrasted and clarified. Results., With increasing cancer survivorship come new challenges in patient care. In the United States, the cancer-related death rate has dropped by 1.1% per year from 1993,2002. Seventy-five percent of children and two out of three adults will survive cancer, whereas 50 years ago just one out of four survived. The net effect of these trends and opportunities is a large and rapidly growing population of persons living longer with cancer and/or as cancer survivors. While agreement exists on the best strategies for assessment and treatment of most acute cancer pain syndromes, little consensus exists on the treatment of chronic pain in the patient with slowly progressive cancer or the cancer survivor. Conclusions., The landscape of "cancer pain" is shifting quickly into a chronic pain situation in many instances, thereby blurring previous lines of distinction in treatment strategies most suited for "chronic" versus "malignant" pain. Adopting chronic pain treatment strategies including pharmacologic and other pain control techniques, rehabilitation care, and psychological coping strategies may lead to optimal outcomes. Lastly, as cancer evolves into a chronic illness, with co-morbid conditions, recurrent cancer, and treatment toxicities from repeated antineoplastic therapies, pain management challenges in the oncologic patient continue to increase in complexity. [source] Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics relevant to the modelling of pesticide flow on leaf surfacesPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 1 2010C Richard Glass Abstract Increasing societal and governmental concern about the worldwide use of chemical pesticides is now providing strong drivers towards maximising the efficiency of pesticide utilisation and the development of alternative control techniques. There is growing recognition that the ultimate goal of achieving efficient and sustainable pesticide usage will require greater understanding of the fluid mechanical mechanisms governing the delivery to, and spreading of, pesticide droplets on target surfaces such as leaves. This has led to increasing use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as an important component of efficient process design with regard to pesticide delivery to the leaf surface. This perspective highlights recent advances in CFD methods for droplet spreading and film flows, which have the potential to provide accurate, predictive models for pesticide flow on leaf surfaces, and which can take account of each of the key influences of surface topography and chemistry, initial spray deposition conditions, evaporation and multiple droplet spreading interactions. The mathematical framework of these CFD methods is described briefly, and a series of new flow simulation results relevant to pesticide flows over foliage is provided. The potential benefits of employing CFD for practical process design are also discussed briefly. © Crown copyright 2009. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Project portfolio control and portfolio management performance in different contextsPROJECT MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 3 2008Ralf Müller Abstract This article investigates the nature and relationship of project portfolio control techniques and portfolio management performance, and how this relationship is moderated by situational idiosyncrasies of internal and external dynamics, industries, governance types, and geographic location. A worldwide questionnaire with 242 responses was used, of which 136 high-performing responses were filtered out for quantitative analysis of best practices. Three portfolio control factors were identified: portfolio selection, portfolio reporting, and decision-making style. Two measures for portfolio management performance were identified: achievement of desired portfolio results and achievement of project and program purpose. The results indicate that different portfolio control mechanisms are associated with different performance measures. A contingency model was developed, including moderating effects by contextual variables. [source] Robustness of Chi-square and Canberra distance metrics for computer intrusion detectionQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2002Syed Masum Emran Abstract Intrusion detection complements intrusion prevention mechanisms, such as firewalls, cryptography, and authentication, to capture intrusions into an information system while they are acting on the information system. We develop two multivariate quality control techniques based on chi-square and Canberra distance metrics, respectively, to detect intrusions by building a long-term profile of normal activities in the information system (norm profile) and using the norm profile to detect anomalies. We investigate the robustness of these two distance metrics by comparing their performance on a number of data sets involving different noise levels in data. The performance results indicate that the Chi-square distance metric is much more robust to noises than the Canberra distance metric. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Habitat Overlap and Facilitation in Tamarisk and Box Elder Stands: Implications for Tamarisk Control Using Native PlantsRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010John M. DeWine Invasive plants are typically managed using top-down control techniques that focus on the removal of the target organism. Bottom-up control limits the resources available to the undesired species by manipulating disturbance, competition, and successional processes, and thus may prevent reinvasion. Tamarisk species (Tamarix sp.) have invaded riparian areas throughout western North America, resulting in expansive control efforts. A companion study has shown that a native competitor, Box elder (Acer negundo), is capable of outcompeting and killing established Tamarisk through light interception in canyons of Dinosaur National Monument (DNM), Colorado. The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of using Box elder as a bottom-up control agent by (1) determining the distributional overlap of the two species in DNM; (2) determining if Tamarisk facilitates Box elder establishment; and (3) analyzing Box elder seedling survival across a range of physical gradients. The distribution of Tamarisk and Box elder overlapped considerably throughout the study area. Box elder seedlings were planted under Tamarisk canopies or areas with the canopy removed. Survival was significantly higher under Tamarisk canopies, indicating that Tamarisk facilitates Box elder seedling survival. Box elder seedling survival was tested across soil texture, litter depth, groundwater depth, and shade intensities indicative of conditions found in the canyons of DNM, and survival was high for all treatments. The manipulation of competitive and successional processes through the promotion of Box elder and other native tree establishment is suggested as a means of bottom-up Tamarisk control to complement traditional control techniques. [source] Innovations in the Assessment of Transplant Center Performance: Implications for Quality ImprovementAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4p2 2009D. A. Axelrod Continuous quality improvement efforts have become a central focus of leading health care organizations. The transplant community has been a pioneer in periodic review of clinical outcomes to ensure the optimal use of limited donor organs. Through data collected from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and analyzed by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), transplantation professionals have intermittent access to specific, accurate and clinically relevant data that provides information to improve transplantation. Statistical process control techniques, including cumulative sum charts (CUSUM), are designed to provide continuous, real-time assessment of clinical outcomes. Through the use of currently collected data, CUSUMs can be constructed that provide risk-adjusted program-specific data to inform quality improvement programs. When retrospectively compared to currently available data reporting, the CUSUM method was found to detect clinically significant changes in center performance more rapidly, which has the potential to inform center leadership and enhance quality improvement efforts. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||