Review of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) report
The management of chronic diseases is an essential healthcare approach that is aimed at reducing the negative impact of chronic diseases in patients (National Committee for Quality Assurance, 2010). The current trends show that the prevalence of chronic diseases is still high, although various approaches have been adopted to reduce the number of people suffering from the diseases (National Committee for Quality Assurance, 2010). Cardiovascular conditions are characterized by the following measures: control of high blood pressure, high concentrations of beta-blocker after a heart attack, and cholesterol management in patients suffering from various forms of cardiovascular health conditions (National Committee for Quality Assurance, 2010). Diabetes is a chronic condition that is marked by relatively higher blood sugar levels in the body. The measure for musculoskeletal condition is the control of osteoporosis in females who have a fracture (National Committee for Quality Assurance, 2010).
Inpatient setting measures
It is easier to manage patients in inpatient settings than those in ambulatory settings. Also, some measures are better implemented in inpatient settings than in outpatient settings. For example, hourly monitoring of cholesterol levels in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases is conducted in inpatient settings while it could be difficult in outpatient settings where patients visit and leave after they are offered care. Control of blood pressure is a critical element in the management of patients with heart problems. Control of blood pressure in hospitalized patients is practical while it is impractical in outpatient settings.
Healthcare metrics determine the quality and efficiency of care offered to patients by healthcare providers (McKinney, 2010). Metrics that influence a patient’s ability to manage chronic diseases greatly determine the quality of life that he or she lives. Access measure metric determines the ability of patients to access care from healthcare providers in a timely and appropriate manner. Patient experience metric could be used to influence the management of chronic diseases by incorporating a patient’s observations and participation in the process of healthcare administration (Brennan & Shepard, 2010; McKinney, 2010).
How the metrics improve the management of chronic diseases
If patients with chronic diseases are able to obtain quality care in a timely manner, then they would easily manage their conditions. It is quite difficult for patients to manage their chronic health conditions when they rarely access care. When patients use their observations and participation to manage their conditions, they can control various parameters that would result in improved outcomes (Brennan & Shepard, 2010).
Automated trigger systems
The use of health information systems has introduced automated trigger systems in healthcare facilities. The systems help improve the quality of healthcare by alerting providers when errors occur. They are also utilized by healthcare institutions to promote patient education by offering alerts to patients when they do not take the right doses of medications. In addition, the automated trigger systems help to manage chronic illnesses by reminding patients when to take medications.
Metrics in my setting
Process metric is used in my practice setting to determine the quality of care offered to patients with chronic diseases. Structure metric is also used to ensure that there is proper organization and capacity of the healthcare setting to provide timely and efficient care to patients presenting with chronic diseases.
References
Brennan, N., & Shepard, M. (2010). Comparing quality of care in the Medicare program. American Journal of Managed Care. 16(11), 841–848.
McKinney, M. (2010). Quality, not quantity. Costliest care not the best, says NCQA report. Modern Healthcare, 40(42), 8–9.
National Committee for Quality Assurance. (2010). The state of health care quality: Reform, the quality agenda and resource use. Web.