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COPYRIGHT 2004 A Thomson Healthcare Company
While all rehab facilities regularly check process data, the odds are that very few are using the information as effectively as they could with regard to performance improvements.
By instituting a program to improve the use of quality, safety, patient outcome, and other outcome data, a facility could improve costs, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
"Over the last three years, we've really focused on making sure that we're using data in an effective way to drive program, process, and operations," says Joan Alverzo, PhD, CRRN, chief clinical officer of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation of West Orange, NJ, a Mechanicsburg, PA-based Select Medical Co. organization.
"We measure outcomes 90 days after discharge to make sure the rehab process is continuing to work to help patients lead an independent life, and we do that with all patients," Alverzo explains. "What we're focusing on now is we're really trying to look at data in a way that drives decision making about how to improve things."
The decision-making process is crucial
Making the most of the decision-making process is crucial to continued organizational success, says Sue Kida, PT, MHA, assistant vice president of administration.
"A lot of organizations collect data, and many compare it against some type of benchmark; but what most organizations struggle with is improving data through a process change," Kida says. "How can you look at data, share it with staff, involve staff, and make process changes that affect functional outcomes of patients?"
Alverzo and Kida discuss the best strategies for improving an organization's performance improvement process with these tips:
* Understand your data.
"We collect quantitative and qualitative...
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