NCJ Number
68734
Date Published
Unknown
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL AIMS TO PROVIDE THE CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATOR WITH A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO QUALITY ASSURANCE METHODS.
Abstract
IN ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE CORRECTIONAL POPULATION, OUTCOME MEASURES (EFFECT OF HEALTH SERVICE ON THE PATIENT'S CONDITION), PROCESS MEASURES (HOW CARE IS PROVIDED), AND STRUCTURAL MEASURES (THE SETTING, RESOURCES, AND PERSONNEL) CAN BE USED. IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES THE ACHIEVEMENT OF DESIRABLE QUALITY CAN BE SEEN AS TAKING PLACE AT THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL AND AT THE MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING LEVEL. QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIVITIES AT THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL ARE INTENDED TO REMEDY DEFICIENCIES AS THEY ARE FOUND, WHILE AT THE MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING LEVEL THE FOCUS IS ON USING PAST EXPERIENCE TO DESIGN NEW WAYS OF DELIVERING SERVICES SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE RECURRENCE OF PAST DEFICIENCIES. THE FUNCTIONS OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATORS THUS INCLUDE SECURING THE RESOURCES TO ASSURE STRUCTURAL QUALITY, INSTITUTING THE PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONAL CONTROLS TO ASSURE QUALITY, AND CHECKING PERIODICIALLY ON THE FUNCTIONING OF ALL THOSE ELEMENTS AND MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WHEN NECESSARY. THE ACTIONS OF ALL COMPONENTS OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MUST BE OBSERVED (FROM PHYSICIANS TO MEDICAL RECORDS). IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT A FORMAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND ASSURANCE PROGRAM, STANDARDS MUST BE DEVELOPED, PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED FOR COLLECTING EVALUATION INFORMATION, AND MECHANISMS DESIGNED FOR MONITORING THE QUALITY OF CARE. SUCH MECHANISMS INCLUDE CONCURRENT EVALUATION OF CLINICAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AS WITH OPERATIONAL CONTROLS (I.E., WHILE THEY ARE TAKING PLACE) AND RETROSPECTIVELY, AS IN MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING. REFERENCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT ADMINISTRATION OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.