Developing performance indicators for homeless outreach psychiatric services.
OBJECTIVE
Performance indicators (PIs) aim to improve services by measuring key activities in a way that allows comparison over time, between services and against benchmarks. This paper describes the development and implementation of Homeless Psychiatric Service PIs and explores their potential benefits and limitations.


METHODS
We collected descripton of quality service from key stakeholders. We identified eight key parameters, from which PIs were developed and tested over a 12-month period.


RESULTS
The use of the PIs led to increased awareness of the practice being measured. PIs were used to stimulate practice changes. They played a positive role in team dynamics and were useful in clarifying team aims and identity. The main challenge to their use was the burden of data collection and analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Homeless service PIs can assist in determining how well the programs are performing in activities that are relevant to clients and non clinical services for the homeless. With the movement of homeless clients away from inner urban areas, homeless performance measures may aid teams to develop the capacity to work effectively with homeless clients.
Associate Professor and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry,) University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Alexander
A
Holmes
Gail
G
Bradley
Trevor
T
Carslie
Kate
K
Lhuede
D019985:Benchmarking; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010348:Patient Care Team
benchmarking; homeless; homeless services; performance indicators; program planning; quality