to help physicians reduce their malpractice risk
Although a cohesive, generally accepted method for QA/QI has not been established for ambulatory practices, it is becoming expected that clinics demonstrate their
efforts to sustain and enhance health care quality. Accrediting bodies, the federal government, malpractice insurance carriers and health insurance companies,
to name a few, are quite involved in QA, QI and Risk Management activities. Most importantly however; physicians and nurses want to do what is right for their patients.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Heatlhcare Organizations (JCAHO) defines Quality Assurance as:
"a program that is ongoing, organizationwide, and is designed to objectively and
systematically monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of patient care,
pursue opportunities to improve patient care and clinical performance, and resolve
identified problems in care and performance."
Initial research provided the following insights:
physicians and nurses prefer to interact with the patient, unimpeded by a computer
most practices cannot afford computer terminals in each exam room
it is more cost effective for administrative personnel to enter and extract patient data
As such, a conscious decision was made to use a paper worksheet, the Patient Encounter Worksheet, as the central communication tool between Care Provider and
QCP Coordinator. This combination allows for computer-assisted QI without the costs and hassles associated with a paperless system.
The Quality Care Program provides an easy-to-use, pragmatic approach that can be used in ambulatory and specialty care clinics to achieve these goals.
For each patient, the Quality Care Program:
Generates and tracks a list of preventive care, ongoing care and immunization items
(Health Maintenance Recommendations) based upon the patient's age, sex and
personal and family health history (Health Risk Factors). Due dates are calculated
automatically, based upon previous test dates, and reminder letters are generated
based upon those due dates
Tracks outstanding lab tests so that none "fall between the cracks"
follow up letters are generated based upon the results of returned lab tests and
results that require additional follow up can be set to automatically send a reminder
letter for that follow up at the appropriate time.
Provides a Patient Encounter Worksheet (PEW), for each visit, that outlines patients'
needs and risks in a standardized, one-page format for easy physician referral.
The PEW acts as a conduit for communication with the QCP Coordinator.
Additional text pages can be printed based upon the patient's stated reason for visit.
These may be forms to be entered into the medical record or informational and
educational handouts for the patient.
Tracks appointments: date, time, reason for visit, status and outcome.
Missed appointments can generate letters stating and enforcing the clinic's policies.
Adverse visit outcomes can be reported for Mortality and Morbidity meetings.
Creates a database of patient information which can be accessed for a wide variety
of reports, eliminate chart reviews for any data contained in QCP, and create phone
and mail merge lists for special projects.
For more detailed information and to view selected QCP screens:
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The information contained in this web site is to demonstrate our products for health care professionals, and is not intended as treatment advice.
The capabilities of our systems allow treatment advice to be designed for specific patients, so examples displayed on this site
may not be suitable for individuals or the general public.