Leapfrog Updates Data Collection Tools
The Leapfrog Group announced that the tools utilized for data collection will be updated for their annual survey of patient safety and quality. So, too, were the questions within the survey updated for 2008 data collection. A detailed listing of the changes to the survey (pdf) was posted on the Leapfrog Group website.
New components included in the survey version for 2008 include an assessment of computerized physician order entry systems for medication. Facilities will be examined to determine the effectiveness of these systems, particularly as a tool to alert clinicians about more commonly occurring serious errors in prescribing.
This new tool was developed by the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices in cooperation with First Consulting Group, which is a part of Computer Sciences Corporation.
Additional components of the updated survey include measures to assess how hospitals effectively utilize their resources to complete several routine conditions and procedures. The incidence of a number of different hospital-acquired conditions are also evaluated, including those for which Medicare will cease reimbursement starting in the Fall.
The survey will be available for hospitals to complete later this month. Leapfrog will post the study findings for individual institutions in July. Aggregated data along with analysis of findings will be made available in the Fall on the Leapfrog website.
April 28, 2008 Related topics: Quality, Safety, Errors