title: Benchmarking applications: linking state strategic planning, quality improvement, and consumer reporting.
abstract: This article demonstrates the value of using benchmark patient satisfaction data for Medicaid program quality improvement. The authors compare surveys of Maryland Medicaid and federal employees in Maryland, utilizing the latter as an external benchmark. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses found a significantly lower percentage of Medicaid than federal respondents rated telephone access excellent, very good, or good, whereas more Medicaid respondents rated advice on prevention and choice of primary care doctor highly. Patient satisfaction external benchmark data provide managed care organizations (MCOs) and state policy makers with goals to improve quality and standards to measure care objectively in vulnerable populations.
authors.affiliation: Comunity Clinic, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yurk
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Jenckes
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Shaffer
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Rubin
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000592:standards*; D008396:Maryland; D008484:Medicaid / Q000592:standards*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States