E-drug: Re: D&T committees (contd)
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With reference to Sam Wagner's comment's about measuring outcomes as a way
of measuring D&T performance, I think we should discuss this. I agree that
it is difficult where all patient records are manually kept but I think we
can come up with some. I would suggest for surgery particularly Caesaren
sections post operative infection rate. (I know this is more than just drug
related but it is a start) For asthma or diabetes period of admission after
admission in diabetic coma or status asthmaticus. For pediatrics survival
rate of children admitted with pneumonia. For adults survival rates for
treatment of cerebral malaria. For chronic diseases such as hypertension or
diabetes follow up consultation rate and maintenance of BP or blood sugar
within desired range. These are some that I think could be easily measured
and compared over time and between hospitals in similar environments.
I agree that output measures are easier to measure and should be collected
but we need some outcome measures too!
Richard Laing
Richard Laing
Associate Professor
Department of International Health
Boston University School of Public Health
715 Albany St
Boston MA 02118-2526
Tel 617 414-1444
Fax 617 414-1442 or 638-4476
richardl@bu.edu
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