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JCAHO disease specific continuous quality improvement to change practice patterns First Author: Craig Broussard Authors: Craig L. Broussard, PhD, RN, CNS, Katy Rowland, RN, MBA JCAHO Disease Specific Continuous Quality Improvement to Change Practice Patterns Craig L. Broussard, PhD, RN, CNS; Katy Rowland, RN, MBA The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Disease-Specific Care (DSC) certification is a voluntary program where participants use a standardized method of delivering clinical care based on clinical guidelines and/or evidence based practice. This requires performance measurement and improvement activities for the disease or condition that is certified. National Healing Corporation engaged specific measures for one year beginning October 2005 to assess the quality of care delivered to persons with ulcers of the lower extremity. Inclusive was the appropriate selection of potential candidates for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, use of the Wagner Classification system by physicians, offloading of the plantar surface diabetic foot ulcer, provisions for preventative offloading, and utilization of health education. Data represents 7,829 lower extremity ulcers in persons with diabetes. Throughout the twelve month period, strategies to improve performance were implemented that resulted in significant changes in practice patterns. Offloading interventions were present in 93% of the clinic visits. An overall satisfaction rate of 97% with health education provided by nursing was reported. Data represents significant improvements in physician use of Wagner Classification to describe ulcers. This experience demonstrates that the use of quality improvement data can change practice patterns to ultimately improve outcomes. |
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