New system of trauma centre

A new system of trauma centres for seriously ill patients in the capital has officially opened in the city. The system is made up of three trauma networks each with a major trauma centre for treating the most seriously injured patients.

"Evidence shows that dedicated major trauma centres with expert teams of professionals can save more lives," said Dr Fionna Moore, clinical director for trauma in London. "Plans to develop a trauma system for London were based on evidence which showed that many trauma patients in London and across the UK receive poor care."

ISQUA - London - 2006

Uma das melhores Conferencias Científicas do mundo, decorreu em Londres, entre 22 e 25 de Outubro de 2006, promovida pela International Society for Quality in Health Care - ISQUA.

A superior qualidade da referida Conferência, obrigou-nos a uma demorada escolha, sobre que caso mostrar aqui. Optámos por trazer um resumo de uma apresentação, sobre um tema crucial para nós em Portugal: os indicadores de desempenho na saúde e a sua implementação.

The implementation of the indicator system ‘Navigator’ in general hospitals: Impact on quality
management
De Paepe L., Vleugels A., Quaethoven P.

Objective:
The purpose of the study was to explore the dynamics induced by the implementation of a recently developed indicator system - ‘Navigator’ - in 22 general hospitals and more particularly its effectiveness in terms of its impact on quality management and on the quality of care.

Results:
First, a conceptual framework for a useful clinical and organisational performance indicator system for health
care facilities was described, including the determination of its basic characteristics and its components.
These components are:

• Well-structured appropriate indicator sets for general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes, each containing a number of well-defined, rate-based indicators.
• A supporting software programme, enabling online data transfer (data entry & feedback information) on a quarterly basis.
• An interactive website for dissemination of information and mutual communication.
• An inter- and intra-facility network.

Conclusions:
Performance indicators are the prominent basis for monitoring quality of care. In order to make indicators a useful tool for health care facilities, they should be part of an integrated and dynamic performance system. “Navigator” is such a system. Its use by 59 Flemish health care facilities, only two year after its introduction, which may be seen as an indication of its usefulness as such. Qualitative research has led to conclusions in terms of “navigator” being an effective steering tool for quality management.