A framework for selecting performance measures for opioid treatment programs.
As a result of new federal regulations released in early 2001 that move the monitoring and evaluation of opioid treatment programs from a government regulation to an accreditation model, program staff members are now being challenged to develop performance measurement systems that improve care and service. Using measurement selection criteria is the first step in developing a performance measurement system as a component of an overall quality management (QM) strategy. Opioid treatment programs can "leapfrog" the development of such systems by using lessons learned from the healthcare quality industry. This article reviews performance measurement definitions, proposes performance measurement selection criteria, and makes a business case for Internet automation and accessibility. Performance measurement sets that are appropriate for opioid treatment programs are proposed, followed by a discussion on how performance measurement can be used within a comprehensive QM program. It is hoped that through development, adoption, and implementation of such a performance measurement program, treatment for clients and their families will continuously improve.
Pelletier
Luc R
LR
lucpell@ix.netcom.com
Hoffman
Jeffrey A
JA
D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004282:Documentation; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004651:Employment; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States
D008691:Methadone