| Evaluation
In late 2003, the VPSM was evaluated.
The evaluation found genuine support among public hospitals for the continuation of the VPSM. Hospitals identified the survey process as a valuable means to providing them with quality improvement benchmarking data over time and across hospitals. More generally, the VPSM was recognised as efficient due to the economies of scale provided by the large number of participating hospitals.
 Summary
of Evaluation Recommendations (PDF
file 44KB)
Following the evaluation, a number of important changes were made to the VPSM. The questionnaire and reporting format were redeveloped. In March 2005, subacute adult patients were included as part of the VPSM survey population. Another significant change was the introduction of VPSM modules. These modules are seen as providing hospitals with the opportunity to collect additional information on aspects of service delivery specific to particular patient groups or in response to special activities undertaken by a hospital. In the second half of 2005, the maternity module was implemented. An emergency department module has been developed and is currently being trialled.
In 2008, in preparation for the new tender, the VPSM was evaluated by the Statistical Consulting Centre at the University of Melbourne. Following their recommendations a number of changes were made, including an increase in the number of surveys distributed. |
