Collect data and analyze patient outcomes. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. Set goals and commit to continuous evaluation. Having access to care is the most important factor in improving the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Patients must have access to the right care at the right time to get the right results. Unfortunately, close to 15 percent of the population remains uninsured, dramatically reducing these patients' access to timely care, leaving them without preventive or primary care, and forcing them to rely on higher-cost (and therefore lower-value) services. For example, research shows that underlying chronic diseases account for 75 percent of annual healthcare spending in the United States, but Americans access preventive care at half of what is recommended. Of course, improving access to care doesn't just refer to efforts to get patients to visit their primary care doctor regularly or use preventive services, such as early detection testing.
It can also mean improving how and where patients can access care. Many experts have argued that the current health system is too fragmented to serve patients well and that any effort to connect, collaborate and share information between organizations to make care more comfortable for patients will also improve patient outcomes. The emerging trend toward in-person clinics and robust workplace wellness programs is an example of more comfortable and accessible care. According to Deloitte's recent report, The Future of Health 2040, the healthcare sector is “on the brink of large-scale disruption driven by greater connectivity, interoperable data, open platforms and consumer-centered care.” Primary care providers who are already innovating to provide more convenient and connected care to their patients will be at the forefront of this emerging trend.
Regions are responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers provide high-quality services and comply with national therapeutic guidelines. Suppliers are evaluated based on their compliance with the quality objectives associated with a performance compensation plan or accreditation requirements. They are also evaluated based on information from patient records and national quality records, patient satisfaction surveys, and dialogue meetings between providers and regions. The measures used to evaluate and compare the quality of healthcare organizations are classified as a structure, a process, or an outcome measure.
Known as the Donabedian model, this classification system was named after the doctor and researcher who formulated it. Quality improvement professionals review patient data and other medical data and analyze the processes used to provide care. Then, using that information, they work to identify areas for improvement and highlight areas of excellence, Sowell said. This work aims to improve patient outcomes, achieve efficiency in the delivery of healthcare, and reduce healthcare costs.
