2014
Diabetic retinopathy care – an international quality comparison
Publication
Publication
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance , Volume 27 - Issue 4 p. 308- 319
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the quality indicator appropriateness and use it for
international quality comparison on diabetic retinopathy (DR) patient care process in one American
and one Dutch eye hospital.
Design/methodology/approach – A 17-item DR quality indicator set was composed based on a
literature review and systematically applied in two hospitals. Qualitative analysis entailed document
study and 12 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with ophthalmologists, managers, and board
members of the two hospitals.
Findings – While the medical-clinical approach to DR treatment in both hospitals was similar,
differences were found in quality of care perception and operationalization. Neither hospital
systematically used outcome indicators for DR care. On the process level, the authors found larger
differences. Similarities and differences were found in the structure of both hospitals. The hospitals’
particular contexts influenced the interpretation and use of quality indicators.
Practical implications – Although quality indicators and quality comparison between hospitals are
increasingly used in international settings, important local differences influence their application.
Context should be taken into account. Since that context is locally bound and directly linked to hospital
setting, caution should be used interpreting the results of quality comparison studies.
Originality/value – International quality comparison is increasingly suggested as a useful way to
improve healthcare. Little is known, however, about the appropriateness and use of quality indicators
in local hospital care practices.
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doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-11-2012-0106, hdl.handle.net/1765/51574 | |
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance | |
Organisation | Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM) |
Korte, C. E., de Korne, D., Martinez Ciriano, J., Rosenthal, R., Sol, K., Klazinga, N., & Bal, R. (2014). Diabetic retinopathy care – an international quality comparison. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 27(4), 308–319. doi:10.1108/IJHCQA-11-2012-0106 |