Journal of quality in clinical practice最新文献

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine clinicians’ perceptions of placing a fetal oximetry sensor. A survey was developed seeking details of staff category, birth suite experience, previous sensor placement, ease of application and use of epidural analgesia. Following staff feedback, the survey was revised from asking clinicians to rate women’s comfort during sensor placement, to a visual analogue scale (VAS) of the clinician’s assessment of the women’s pain during sensor placement. Survey validity was sought from experts during development and for specific questions using item-total correlation in this analysis. Ease of sensor placement (n = 131) was rated as good or excellent 71% of the time. Clinicians rated women’s comfort during sensor placement as good or excellent in 90% of cases. Median pain VAS was 0 (range 0–7.5). Item-total correlations of survey questions were all significant. Fetal oximetry sensor placement was rated well by clinicians in this purpose-designed survey.

Abstract In the entire quality management jigsaw, no one piece is more important than an adequately trained and qualified quality manager. The terms quality co-ordinator and quality improvement officer do nothing to assist the understanding of this vital member of a hospital’s staff. This paper describes the qualifications and role of a quality manager and emphasises that few such qualified quality managers exist in Australian hospitals.

Abstract Unsedated diagnostic gastroscopy has become widely accepted as a diagnostic procedure which avoids the risk of an anaesthetic. It also provides advantages for patients and hospitals in converting the procedure to an ambulatory care investigation. Patient perception of the procedure can sometimes differ from that of medical and nursing staff. We have decided to report our usual clinical practice by auditing 100 consecutive patients undergoing this procedure in a large rural private hospital. Patient tolerance was analyzed in various categories including degree of comfort, degree of pain, ease of breathing and willingness to repeat the procedure under the same conditions. The perceived comfort rating was compared between the patient, the endoscopist and the endoscopy nurse. A total of 100 consecutive patients were evaluated; 55 chose to be sedated and 45 were unsedated. Of the 100 patients tested, 88% stated they would have the procedure the same way if a repeat procedure was required. There was no significant difference between male/female or sedated/unsedated patients. The most important consideration for patients who chose to have the procedure unsedated was the ability to speak to the endoscopist immediately post-procedure. Patient rating of pain was not significantly different between the sedated and unsedated groups. There was no significant difference in the independent assessment by the endoscopist and the nurse with respect to patient comfort in both the sedated and the unsedated groups. However, their assessment differed significantly from the patients own rating, as endoscopists and gastrointestinal (GI) nurses rated the patient degree of comfort as higher than the patients themselves (P < 0.01 for doctor/patient and nurse/patient score, Student’s t-test). No complications were reported in either group of patients during the audit. Unsedated diagnostic gastroscopy is perceived to be an acceptable alternative to a sedated procedure by the majority of patients. Patients rate the procedure as more uncomfortable than their health care professionals, but the majority of patients would still have the repeat procedure the same way.

Abstract Clinical indicators (CI) are increasingly being used to assess the quality of health care being provided by physicians and hospitals. However, a standardised reporting format and a methodology to assess the utility of the CI data has not been developed. This paper provides the reporting format that has been developed for the clinical colleges. The results for four surgical indicators are used to illustrate how the CI data can determine the potential to improve the quality of care. Numerical estimates of the potential gains that could be made are calculated by: (i) determining the outcome if the current mean rate was shifted to the rate for the best 20% of hospitals and (ii) identifying units with unusual variation in rates and shifting their rate to the average. All four indicators reveal gains that could impact on health policy and clinical practice.

Abstract Our study showed that of the 300 consecutive people interviewed at the General Hospital at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, most persons (80%) preferred to be called ‘patients’ as opposed to 7% choosing the term ‘client’ and 6% opting for the term ‘customer’. This proves our hypothesis that in the developing world people prefer to maintain the doctor–patient relationship and leave the word ‘client’ and ‘customer’ for the businessman.

Abstract Research confirms that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) results in shorter lengths of hospital stay and earlier return to usual activity than the traditional cholecystectomy procedure. Research in this area, however, focuses more on the medical aspects of patient recovery, but very few studies have evaluated how these patients manage their recovery at home or what types of problems they encounter. A total of 28 LC patients were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) 23 h stay (overnight) in a general surgical ward or (2) day procedure unit (DPU) stay. Data was collected by a self-administered Postoperative Symptoms Diary and telephone interview. Results showed no significant difference between the two groups of patients recovery symptoms scores. Problems with mobility, pain and elimination recorded the highest mean scores for both groups of patients. Overnight patients also experienced problems with tiredness and eating. All DPU patients were able to manage their postoperative symptoms, compared to only 44% of patients who had stayed in overnight. Carer assistance was needed with regard to activities of daily living, child care and reassurance. Results showed that with careful selection of patients, LC cases performed as day procedures did not impact at all on the patients’ recovery trajectory.