Appendix 5

Attributes of Indicators, According to Program

ACHS Hospital Clinical Project Indicators NHMBWG Quality &Outcome Project Indicators JCAHO Maryland UK-NHS
Clinical importance Clearly defined Simple Reliability Validity Quantify aspects of care Aspects of clinical care
Outcome focus Accurate data Well defined Validity Reliability Definitions acceptable Meets objectives of clinical care
Data availability Identified by frequency / diagnosis Easily understood Sensitivity / Specificity Meaningful data Validity Standards of service delivery to achieve objectives
Usefulness Clinical relevance Key activities central to organisation tasks Responsiveness Useful to improve health care Reliability Relationship of indicator to objectives
Resource intensity Practical benefit: cost ratio Informative Interpretability Nationally consistent comparative data Meaningful Clarity of definitions
Universality Systemwide performance
Significance
Useful to improve patient care Presentation of data
Political/social importance

Burden (collection impost)

Interpretation of Indicator



Vulnerability (distortion)

Usefulness-cost: utility ratio



Utility

Potential for action/change



Alternative forms





Independent collaboration


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