Quality Healthcare Outcomes - Research Paper Example

? Article Review on Quality Healthcare Outcomes Most health care s are concerned with their level of health care since poor quality care is a recipe for failure. It is important to assess the quality of health care that is offered in most institutions since it is the only way to determine whether employees and the management are both working towards improving patient care. There are many ways to assess the quality of health care that is offered in various health care centers, but, the best way is through creation of quality indicators and then assessing whether patient care is in tandem with the set indicators (Clarke, 2006). In case there is no consistency in the two, the management will then be forced to adjust so that patients are satisfied and well served. Therefore, the outcome of quality health care is important since it grades various health care institutions into proficient performers, average performers and poor performers. No health care facility would like to be graded as a poor performer; hence, the management of such institution ought to ensure that health care quality outcomes are noteworthy and proficient. This paper analyses three articles that discuss the topic of health care quality outcomes. The paper will analyze what each article discusses concerning the subject matter by giving comparisons and contrasts. The first article by Rory J. Clarke that appeared on OECD observer issue number 257 in October 2006 ‘Health care: Towards Quality Performance’ outlines how health care organizations need to operate so that they are able to produce quality outcomes. This article is for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Clarke has introduced the article by asserting that health care quality performance is under scrutiny. The author mentions about the Health Care Quality indicator Project of OECD, and how this can assist organizations in gauging their health care quality outcomes. Clarke has explained that the Commonwealth Fund and the Nordic Council of Ministers has also come up with indicators for health care quality just like the one for OECD, but the one by OECD is much more proficient and conclusive because it covers more countries, hence, the data fin dings have been extensive. Clarke has also outlined that delays in offering prompt medical intervention increase risks for death, hence, he calls for injection of quality services in all health care institutions (Clarke, 2006). Clarke has given us prior knowledge on research conducted in about 23 countries using 13 performance indicators, and the data gathered concerning quality health care from this earlier study. However, the author explains that more findings will be gathered with the new project by OECD. Clarke asserts that potent comparisons between various data sets are the best way to improve health care. Clarke has also pointed out that many health care practitioners including those from wealthy OECD countries have discovered that deliverance of quality health care has worsened with time. This is ironical considering that there have been advances in technology and information in the contemporary world. Therefore, we expect health care to be improving instead of worsening. Clarke has concluded his findings by mentioning that more comparisons between various countries are going to be the key in improving the quality of health care. This is because, better data comparisons would help change mindsets concerning health care quality and many gaps that exist would be plugged (Clarke, 2006). The second Article, ‘Defining and classifying clinical indicators for quality improvement’ is by Jan Mainz, and it appeared in the 15th volume of the International Journal for Quality in Health Care in the 6th issue on the 7th of August 2003. Unlike Clarke’s article, it does not focus only on OECD countries, but it focuses on quality improvement in all in health care institutions as a whole. Clarke’s article explained that, in order to get quality health care, it is important to formulate quality indicators and this would need quality information so that quality information is realized. However, Mainz’s article introduces a new perspective in health care quality outcomes by asserting that clinical indicators are the key in realizing quality health care. The article has outlined various categories and characterizations of clinical indicators that are used for quality improvement in health care settings (Mainz, 2003). In his analysis, Mainz has outlined that clinical indicators normally assess health structures, outcomes and processes. These are either mean based in that they analyze quality improvement on a quantitative basis or sentinel in nature. Mainz has also explained that clinical indicators may be in the form of generic figures that are disease specific in that they give an outline of quality care that is used in diagnosing various disease processes for patients. This article is in many ways similar to the first article ion that it also asserts that provision of quality health care is an agenda for many health care institutions. This is because; there has been a recent transformation in health care systems which have affected the provision of quality care. Since countries have not put up mandatory procedures to monitor quality health care, the author has outlined various clinical indicators that can be used to monitor it, and enable health care institutions perform well and serve patients effectively (Mainz, 2003). The third article, ‘Healthcare Reform: Quality Outcomes Measurement and Reporting’ by Cary Sennett. It appeared on July 19th 2010 on the online forum, American Health and health Benefits. Cary just like in the other two articles has outlined that it is important to measure quality outcomes in health organizations since provision of health care has become mandatory in the present world. Sennett has given an outline of the patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and how this act demands that health care institutions provide quality services to clients. Sennett explains that the PPACA and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 are essential steps that will ensure that there is federal health care reform. The author, furthermore, has explained the implications that result from measurement of quality outcomes in health care institutions by explaining that this would bring economic success and enhance competition among health care providers (Sennett, 2010). Provision of quality health care is an important measure by all health care providers since it would ensure that patients are well treated and that disease incidences will be reduced. The articles by Rory J. Clarke, Jan Mainz and Cary Sennett outline various approaches to quality health care provision and outcomes. These three articles approach the article from a different perspective, but, the message is the same; it is important for institutions to come up with indicators for quality care so that it would be possible to assess quality care in institutions. In the modern setting, it has become extremely necessary to provide quality health care. Clark’s article, asserts that health care quality indicators like those that have been established by OECD go in tandem with quality information, and these are important in provision of health quality care in health care organizations. Clark has also explained that with the right policies, it is possible to provide quality care in organizations. Mainz has explained that it is almost impossible to monitor quality of health care without use of clinical indicators. These indicators, according to Mainz, are the basis for quality improvement in health care settings. Sennett’s article asserts that the PPACA is going to be the force that will trigger quality improvement in health care settings. This is going to guarantee quality care to patients. Therefore, many institutions need to follow these measures so that they will be able to ensure quality health care outcomes. References Clarke, R. (2006). Health CAre: Towards Quality performance. OECD OBSERVER , 22-25. Mainz, J. (2003). Defining and Classifying Clinical Indicators for Quality Improvement. International Journal for quality in Health Care , 523-530. Sennett, C. (2010). Healthcare Reform: Qualityu Outcomes Measurement and Reporting. American health & drug Benefits , 20-25. Read More