Use of interval based quality indicators in blood pressure management to enhance quality of pay for performance incentives: comparison to two indicators from the Quality and Outcomes Framework

Overview

Title:

Use of interval based quality indicators in blood pressure management to enhance quality of pay for performance incentives: comparison to two indicators from the Quality and Outcomes Framework

Authors:

Mabotuwana T, Warren J, Elley CR, Kennelly J, Paton C, Warren D, Chang Wai K, Wells S

Journal:

Qual Prim Care

Publication date:

2010

Volume:

18

Issue:

2

First page:

93

Last page:

101

Publication type:

Journal

Abstract

Background: Pay for performance incentives are becoming increasingly popular, but are typically based on only a single point-in-time measurement as an indicator of chronic condition management. Aims: To determine the association between three time-interval based indicators of suboptimal blood pressure (BP) control and two point-in-time indicators from the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF): BP5 (the percentage of patients with hypertension in whom the last BP in the previous nine months was ≤150/90) and DM12 (the percentage of patients with diabetes in whom the last BP in the previous 15 months was ≤145/85). Methods: We extracted classification data and BP measurements from four New Zealand general practices with 4260 to 6130 enrolled patients. Data were analysed for three indicators with respect to a nine-month evaluation period for patients with hypertension and a 15-month period for patients with diabetes: (1) two or more consistently high BP measurements spaced over ≥90 days, (2) a high BP measurement followed by a lapse of >120 days in BP measurement and (3) no BP measurement for >180 days. Results: For the four practices, 65-81% of the patients satisfied BP5 and 59-68% of patients satisfied DM12. Of the hypertension patients satisfying BP5, 31% (95% CI: 28-33%) failed at least one of the three interval based indicators; 42% (95% CI: 39-46%) of the diabetes patients satisfying DM12 failed at least one of the three interval based indicators. Conclusion: Considering only a point-in-time controlled BP measurement provides an incomplete view of the quality of BP management in patients with hypertension or diabetes over a period of time.

Preview

Use of interval based quality indicators in blood pressure management to enhance quality of pay for performance incentives: comparison to two indicators from the Quality and Outcomes Framework Mabotuwana T, Warren J, Elley CR, Kennelly J, Paton C, Warren D et al. Qual Prim Care 2010; 18(2):93-101.