For any healthcare activity, three performance factors can be measured: structure, process, and outcome. Consider the following hospital admission process:
Upon arrival, the patient reports to the hospital registration or admitting area. The patient completes paperwork and provides an insurance identification card, if insured. Often, patients register before the date of hospital admission to facilitate the registration process. An identification bracelet, including the patient’s name and doctor’s name, is placed around the patient’s wrist. Before any procedure is performed or any form of medical care is provided, the patient is asked to sign a consent form. If the patient is not feeling well, a family member or caregiver can help the patient complete the admission process.
Identify one structure measure, one process measure, and one outcome measure that could be used to evaluate this hospital admission process. Describe each of these measures in fundamental terms. What are the numerator and denominator? If the measure does not require a numerator and denominator, explain why.
Assume the manager of the hospital registration area wants to gather data to report performance results for the measures you have chosen. What data source could be used to gather information for the measures? Why would these data sources be best for gathering reliable data?