Can computerized cost data substitute for chart review?
Identification of alternatives to manual chart review might improve efficiency in quality improvement work. This study at a large community teaching hospital in central New Jersey considered whether selected charges from a patient-level costs database could identify compliance with Sixth Scope of Work indicators in congestive heart failure (CHF). Charges resulting from specific tests, from test outcomes, and from prescribed treatments were identified from among 75 randomly chosen patients with CHF. In the sample 65% (as determined by database analysis) and 69% (as determined by chart review) complied with the principal peer review organization criterion. This difference was less than that found between review and re-review of study charts.
Shine
Daniel
D
Department of Medicine, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ, USA. dshine@sbhcs.com
Sundaram
Punidha
P
Torres
Deborra M
DM
Johnstone
Barbara
B
Jaeger
Joseph
J
Sanguliano
Barbara
B
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000592:standards; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid / Q000592:standards; D008485:Medical Audit; D006278:Medicare / Q000592:standards; D009515:New Jersey; D011366:Professional Review Organizations; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000925:Anticoagulants