Development of the Optimality Index as a new approach to evaluating outcomes of maternity care.
Evaluating perinatal outcomes within a framework of normalcy is a new focus of measurement. As maternal and child health clinicians and researchers look to evaluate care practices that are both of high quality and cost-effective, it is important to have measurement tools that assess differences among all women giving birth. The Optimality Index-US shifts the focus from rare adverse events to evidence-based optimal events. This article describes the continuing development of the index and discusses clinical implications for obstetric nurse clinicians.
Murphy
Patricia Aikins
PA
University of Utah College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5880, USA. patricia.murphy@nurs.utah.edu
Fullerton
Judith T
JT
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000458:organization & administration; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*