Control charts 101: a guide to health care applications

Qual Manag Health Care. 2001 Spring;9(3):1-27. doi: 10.1097/00019514-200109030-00003.

Abstract

A control chart can be an effective way to display process data over time. It can differentiate common cause variation from special cause variation through the application of several probability-based interpretation rules. In addition, a control chart can be helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of a change. There are numerous types of control charts, and this tutorial was developed to guide the user through the selection process.

MeSH terms

  • Data Collection / methods*
  • Data Collection / statistics & numerical data
  • Data Display
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Efficiency, Organizational
  • Forms and Records Control
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Process Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Process Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Research Design
  • Software
  • Time Factors