Checklist & prompting in intensive care unit: quality of care is improved but long way to go for better outcome

Crude mortality rate in intensive care unit varies according to the primary diagnosis of the patients, demographic characteristics of the patients and geographical location of the intensive care units (ICUs) (1-3). Though a decline in the mortality in ICU is evident over the last few decades (4,5), there is still significant gap between the knowledge and practice of the intensive care physicians even in the developed world (6). ICU checklists are expected to increase adherence to the guidelines, reduces medical errors and consequently improves patients’ outcome.