Running head: BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES
Better Health Outcomes
Eliza de Guzman, BSBA Computer Science
National University – HCA 622 Quality Appraisal and Evaluation
Professor: Bill Boggs, BS, MPH University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Instructor
February 28, 2013
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BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES
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Abstract
This paper will give us an idea about the ultimate goal of health organization which is to have a
better health outcome. And can measurement of health outcomes alone substitute for structure
and process measurement? We also will learn about accountability, accreditation, certification
and licensure. Accountability can be achieved by informal subjective means or through the
exchange of information using a formal set of metrics. Accreditation is a process in which an
organization that provides goods or services evaluates against a set of predetermined
requirements or desirable attributes and publicly attests the results. Accreditation is a specific
organization’s process of certification. And licensure is always mandatory requiring
organizations to meet certain legally defined requirements to practice or exercise a certain
activity. (Ransom, Joshi, & Nash, 2008 p. 433 -434).
Keywords: Accountability, accreditation, certification, licensure, measurement and
outcomes.
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The Ultimate Goal Is Better Health Outcomes for Individuals and Populations
In every individual, population and organization in health care industry their
ultimate goal is better health outcomes. Their goal is to have accredited and good quality services
within the health organizations which includes providers, patients, insurers, employers,
employees, and tax payers. To be able to achieve this goal, an organization should be
accountable. Accountability can be achieved by informal, subjective means or through the
exchange of information using a form of metrics. This metrics of accountability includes
accreditation/certification and licensure.
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is
presented. In an organization that provides goods or services, evaluates organization against a set
of requirements and the results attest publicly. Certification refers to the confirmation of certain
characteristics of an object, person, or organization. Accreditation is a specific organization’s
process of certification. And licensure is one of the metrics of accountability which is always a
domain of government that always is mandatory. Organizations are required to meet certain
legally defined requirement to practice or exercise a certain activity to be licensed.
Why or Why not Measurement of Health Outcomes alone can substitute for
Structure and Process Measurement to fulfill the Ultimate Goal?
Measurement of health outcomes involved on-site observation, review policies, review or
abstraction of data from administrative or clinical records, surveys, and interviews with provider
staff and patients. There are accredited programs that rely on only on-site observation and review
of reports and policies. Measurement is a kind of abstraction. To develop a set of rules to assign
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to represent concept involved measurement. In able to develop a set of rules, you must simplify
the concept by focusing on those aspects of the concept that are most important purposes.
(OANDP.org). A clear understanding of the purpose is required in using measurement.
Measuring health outcomes helps us to make decisions and plans on how to manage our patients
and other within the healthcare. In order to understand what outcome measures is we must need
to know what needs to be measured to be able to have a good and better outcome. For example in
implementing EHR or electronic health record we should know our outcome measures to have a
quality and reliable system in order to give good service to our patients, consumers, and other
related field. To use measurement, we should have an observation, interviews, audits, reviews,
survey and derived information to know what the patients, providers and other needs to come out
with a better health outcomes.
I therefore conclude, measurement of health outcomes alone can substitute for structure
and process measurement. Because measurement itself can achieve a better health outcomes by
having an accountable organization. In order to have an accountability we need to measures how
an organizations can be accredited and licensed which involves the three most frequently used
sources administrative records, medical records and patient and providers surveys. In measuring,
outcomes must be tracked and assessed rigorously over time to identify the organizational
characteristics and process that affect quality and to use that information to improve services that
will lead us to achieve our ultimate goal to have a better health outcomes.
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References
Ransom, E. R., Joshi, M. S., Nash, D. B., & Ransom, S. B. (2008). The Healthcare Quality book
(2nd Ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press
Measurement of Health Outcomes: Reliability, Validity and Responsiveness; Kathryn E. Roach,
PhD, PT
http://www.oandp.org/jpo/library/2006_01S_008.asp
Using Outcomes to Improve Health Care Decision Making; Donald L. Zimmerman, Ph.D.,
Jennifer Daley, M.D.
http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/internal/outcomes.pdf