Topic last updated Jan. 2006
Note |
Self-assessment
is an essential first step toward making system
changes. Each facility and provider needs to realize
the magnitude of a problem in their practices
and commit to its reduction and ultimate elimination. |
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How
to Make Systems Changes
for Improved Care
Identify
Gaps in Care
Self-assessment is an essential first step toward making system
changes. The medical literature confirms that substantial gaps exist
between knowledge and practice in health care. Each facility and
provider needs to realize the magnitude of the problem in their
practices and commit to its reduction and ultimate elimination.
Broad variation in medical practices contribute to this disparity
i.e. similar patients are treated in widely variable fashions. Examples
of improved practices and outcomes exist, but they need to be described
and disseminated. The challenge is to identify, describe and learn
from these examples and use this learning to construct systems to
improve performance. While the ultimate goal is improved diabetes
outcomes, such as the incidence of complications, self-assessment
focuses on the process of change and provides a roadmap to order
priorities, plan change, and direct energies. Self-assessment leads
to action. Consider consulting with purchasers or business and management
partners in the healthcare system for financial assistance to support
system-wide changes.
Although
our focus is on health systems change, the medical diagnostic process
isn't all that different: one gathers available data, determines
the gaps in needed information, seeks consultation to fill those
gaps, and follows the patient's progress. Treatment may be
initiated before all the facts are in, but the plan is always incremental:
changes are made based on clinical evaluation feedback.
For
more information on assessment to identify gaps and prioritize an
action plan, click here.
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