The Official Journal of the
National Association for Healthcare Quality

Transforming Payer-Provider Relationship from Conflict to CollaborationKathleen Chavanu, Kurt Newman, William Fried, Mary Daymont, Anthony Slonim, Edward Koza, William Pastor, Nellie C. Robinson, Peter Holbrook

Abstract: A payer and provider were able to transform a contentious relationship into a collaborative patient-centered program. The program demonstrates that sharing of retrospective utilization data can yield improved clinical and financial outcomes.

Medication Reconciliation: A Necessity in Promoting a Safe Hospital DischargeDonna L. Poole, Juliane N. Chainakul, Mary Pearson, LeAnn Graham

Abstract: Medication errors are a priority for organizational improvement efforts. Medication reconciliation greatly reduces adverse drug and medication events. At one facility, use of a computer-generated Physician Discharge Medication Worksheet led to a reduction in discrepancies in drug frequency and dose, as well as therapeutic duplication, at the time of discharge.

Lessons Learned from Performance Feedback by a Quality Improvement OrganizationThomas J. Van Hoof, David A. Pearson, Tierney E. Giannotti, Janet P. Tate, Anne Elwell, Judith K. Barr, Thomas P. Meehan

Abstract: A quality improvement organization (QIO) gave performance feedback to primary-care physicians with claims-based measures relating to diabetes, adult vaccinations, and mammography screening. Physicians' feedback identified themes relating to data accuracy, methodology of the feedback reports, reasons for low performance rates, and suggestions on how the QIO could improve its intervention strategy.

Health Disparities in 30 Indicators of Recommended Clinical Care
James W. Davis, Deborah Taira, Richard S. Chung

Abstract: Patients' age, gender, and morbidity and certain characteristics of their physicians affected whether they received recommended care for 30 clinical indicators. The variations in recommended care suggest potential targets for healthcare quality improvements.

Constructing Adolescent Substance Abuse Performance Measures Using Administrative Data
Margaret T. Lee, Deborah W. Garnick, Constance N. Horgan, Doreen A. Cavanaugh

Abstract: This article discusses the importance of performance measures for adolescent substance abuse treatment, the measurement tools now being developed, and implications for future treatment.

Improving Behavioral Health Satisfaction Assessment: Measuring Patients' Perceptions
Pamela A. Carroll-Solomon, Diane S. Denny, Trenya Garner, Judy Aitkenhead, Sheryl Brown, Mary Anne Foley, Daniel H. van Leeuwen

Abstract: In order to improve patient satisfaction in its behavioral health programs, Catholic Health East moved from measuring patient advocacy programs to measuring patients' perceptions through behavior-based questions.

Brief Report: A Wound-Care Process Model Improving Emergency Department Turnaround Time
Shari Welch

Turnaround time data identified laceration patients as a subset of emergency department patients who were not receiving high-quality care. With the Define-Measure-Analyze-Devise-Verify methodology, root causes of delay in operations were sought, and remedies were devised.

DEPARTMENTS

JHQ Web Exclusives

Safety of Hospital Care for Children from Spanish-Speaking Families with Limited Proficiency in English
Christina Bethell, Lisa Simpson, Debra Read, Elisa J. Sobo, Judi Vitucci, Brooke Latzke, Susan Hedges, Paul S. Kurtin

Conference Brief Report: Update on the National Health Policy Conference
Jacqueline F. Byers

q&a: Cheryl Knapp and Jane Janssen on the Baldrige Process at Bronson Methodist Hospital
Joann Genovich-Richards

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Quality NETwork
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