Document Detail


Outcomes of an initial set of standardized performance measures for inpatient mental health.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18677871     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: In January 2006, the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) convened a committee of experts from academic health centers to identify an initial set of important standardized performance measures for inpatient psychiatric services and to evaluate the current state of performance in these measures at eight academic health centers. METHOD: The eight UHC academic medical centers completed a retrospective review of 20 inpatient psychiatric records on patients who were 18-65 years of age with a primary diagnosis of psychosis and a length of stay > or = 2 days. The performance measures, derived from practice standards and the consensus of an interdisciplinary committee of experts, focused on the processes of care, including screening, assessment, treatment, coordination, continuity, and safety. RESULTS: Although there was variability in organizational performance in a number of the psychiatric measures, some organizations demonstrated high levels of performance. Performance measures indicating the greatest improvement opportunities for organizations included notification of outpatient mental health provider of the psychiatric hospitalization within two days; collaboration with the outpatient mental health provider and/or primary care physician; and scheduling a follow-up appointment within seven days of discharge. DISCUSSION: This initial benchmarking project in mental health at academic health centers shows that there is a range of conformity to important processes of care in the inpatient mental health setting. The results of the notification, collaboration, and continuity measures in this study highlight national concerns regarding the lack of communication and collaboration between providers in the transition through the continuum of services. Future quality measurement projects in mental health services should integrate clinical process measures with outcome measures.
Authors:
Tamara L Williams; Julie Cerese; Joanne Cuny; Danny Sama
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Multicenter Study    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety / Joint Commission Resources     Volume:  34     ISSN:  1553-7250     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2008 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-08-05     Completed Date:  2008-12-04     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101238023     Medline TA:  Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  399-406     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
University HealthSystem Consortium, Oakbrook, Illinois, USA. williams@uhc.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Academic Medical Centers
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Benchmarking*
Continuity of Patient Care
Evidence-Based Medicine
Female
Humans
Inpatients
Male
Medical Audit*
Mental Disorders / diagnosis,  therapy*
Middle Aged
Quality Indicators, Health Care*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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