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2. Using data to monitor quality of care

Title: Using data to monitor quality of care

Principal research category: Using data to monitor quality of care
Project Coordinator: Peter Cameron
PhD Stdudent: Jocelyn Lowinger
Project aim: This $2.6 million NHMRC funded Health Services Management Grant was awarded in December 2006. The aim of the project is to develop a national set of high quality, credible indicators using existing data sources to measure healthcare performance in regard to safety and quality in clinical practice. We propose a “probes in the pudding” approach, where each probe measures the performance of one aspect of the healthcare system. We will test ways in which clinical patient information databases can be linked to develop quality indicators. We will investigate ways in which registries can be better standardised at a national level. We will compare registry data with administrative hospital data to investigate how quality indicators can be developed which provide an accurate picture of the health system.
Project status: Project is in concept phase
Contact: Jocelyn Lowinger

Title: Quality Indicators in Trauma

Principal research category: Using data to monitor quality of care
Project Coordinator: Professor Peter Cameron
PhD student: Cameron Willis
Project aim: The aim of this project is to determine the practicality and usefulness of using Quality Indicators (QIs) in the trauma setting.
Project description: Healthcare is increasingly complex, dynamic, fragmented and high risk. Quality indicators are one method by which the process of care delivery can be measured and evaluated.Quality indicators have been developed and are currently being used in evaluating quality of care across the entire continuum of care, from pre-hospital services, to the emergency department, and then incorporating the hospital admission, surgery, rehabilitation outcomes and long-term quality of life. CRE-PS  will use information from pre-existing databases to further develop and evaluate the effectiveness of quality indicators in identifying the systems and behavioral factors that contribute to observed variations in patient safety. We will perform field research and conduct surveys to assist in the development of clinically relevant quality indicators.Initially a critical assessment of the evidence base surrounding selected QI’s will be undertaken. Data from the VSTORM registry and comparative overseas data will be used to assess what indicators best measure quality of care.
Project status: Project is in implementation phase.
Contact: Cameron Willis

Title: Legal and ethical implications of performance reporting

Principal research category: Using data to monitor quality of care
Project Coordinator: Professor Bernadette McSherry, Professor John McNeil
Honours student: Dr Sika Ristevski
Project aim: This project will identify legal and ethical issues surrounding the release of performance data from the perspective of the individual clinician, the institution and the government. Project Description: This project will research the interface between law and quality reporting. Contrasting views of doctors, lawyers, administrators and the general public will be explored. This project will be run in collaboration with the Monash University Law School and Monash Centre for Medical Bioethics.
Project status: Project is in implementation phase.

Title: Register of registries

Principal research category: Using data to monitor quality of care
Project Coordinator: Professor John McNeil, Dr Sue Evans
Project aim: This project will identify key registries which are of high calibre and therefore capable of being used to monitor quality of care issues in the health system.
Project Description: Currently in Australia there are many registries used to monitor quality of care. A review of registries has determined what registries are being used for, the scope of the data being collected, what information is being collected, and what quality checks are in place to ensure integrity of data. This work is commissioned by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The registry will be modelled on a similar Directory of Databases established in The Health Services Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
Project status: Project is in design phase

Title: Quality indicators in the private health sector

Principal research category: Using data to monitor quality of care
Project Coordinator: Peter Cameron
Project aim The aim of this project will be to identify a core set of clinical indicators to be collected in private hospitals to monitor the quality of care.
Project description: To achieve this aim, a research program will be implemented that will:

  • Identify and classify clinical indicators currently being collected and used internationally and locally in the hospital sector to monitor quality of care;
  • Identify data sources currently being used to monitor quality of care and classify attributes of them;
  • Propose a list of key indicators to be collected across the Australian private hospital sector to monitor quality of care;
  • Outline an implementation program for collection of indicators.

Project status: Project is in concept phase.

Title: VAED C Codes

Principal research category: Using data to monitor quality of care
Project Coordinator: Caroline Brand
Project Description: Victorian Admitted Episodes Data is currently used predominantly for administrative purposes but there is increased interest in its applicability to other quality issues. This work is principally being undertaken at Latrobe university. The research questions include: 
(1) Can C codes be used to effectively capture AE rates with regard to a specific area of work.
(2) Use C codes with unplanned readmission to ICU or return to OT
(3) In-hospital falls resulting in # stratified by hospital type
Project status: Project is in concept phase.
Contact: Caroline Brand