WHAT IS HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE
AS DEFINED IN THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Our years of experience has brought forth the realization that most Canadians, define quality of medical care as ‘Doctors who listen’. Science defines quality of care based on the following seven outcomes measures:
- Mortality
- Readmissions
- Safety of care
- Effectiveness of care
- Patient experience
- Timeliness of care
- Efficient use of medical imaging
AS DEFINED IN THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
High quality medical care produces the following outcomes:
LOW INCIDENCE METRICS:
- Mortality
- Hospital readmissions
- Adverse drug reactions/side effects
- Complications
HIGH INCIDENCE METRICS:
- Cure/Remission
- Timely care
- Highly rated patient experiences
- Efficient use of resources
A SIMPLER EXPLANATION
High quality medical care is that which produces the best possible ‘outcomes’ in a cost effective and time effective manner:
- The quickest possible return to prior health status
- The greatest chance of “cure”
- The least side effects
- The best chance of quick return-to-health and work