Importance of Quality of Healthcare

You may have paid a visit to your family clinic and had your family doctor tell you about the latest improvements in healthcare and quality measurement of healthcare. You might have found yourself asking your family doctor ‘what is quality measurement in healthcare, and why is it important?’ You might have also wondered what the various kinds of quality measures are, how they are developed and how each method is used. The article below attempts to answer these questions.

Quality measurement in healthcare

The method of using data in evaluating performance of certain health plans as well as healthcare providers against established quality standards is known as quality measurement. Quality measures takes a range of forms. These evaluate care over a full range of healthcare settings from family clinics to hospital plans.

Quality measurement of healthcare is a key element in the technique of healthcare improvement. On many occasions, the quality of care received in America is less than standard. Patients receiving the right diagnoses and care happens only around 55 percent everytime. Research displays there is regular underuse and misuse of services. On top of this, healthcare delivery tends to be staggered, overly complex and not in sync.

How can quality measurement improve healthcare?

Quality measurement is used in improving the nation’s healthcare through 1) prevention of misuse of healthcare services 2) specifying what works in healthcare in order to drive improvement 3) ensuring health insurance plans are accountable for supply of high quality care 4) measuring and dealing with disparities in the way care is delivered and 5) helping consumers take the well informed decisions regarding their care.

Types of quality measures

Structure – assessing characteristics of care scenario, including personnel and rules related to delivery of healthcare. Eg – is there a critical care specialist on staff for the ICU at all times?

Process – focuses on if services being assigned to patients are consistent with routine clinical care. Eg – does the doctor determine his patients take recommended cancer screenings?

Outcome – evaluates patient health post the care given. Eg – what is the survival rate of heart attack victims?

Patient experience – providing feedback on patient’s experiences of healthcare. Eg – are patients reporting their provider explains their treatment options to them in a manner which is simple to understand?

Health plan – this method will assess the services that the health plan provides as well as the overall performance of providers in the plan’s network. Eg – is the health plan covering alcoholism or drug dependence treatment?

To know more about quality healthcare in your neighborhood and the services available to you and your loved ones, please contact the Phoenix Family Medical Clinic.

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