What is measured and why?
YourHealthMatters reports scores for the clinically proven goals for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The goals, when achieved together, represent the professionally recognized standard for managing these conditions. Reaching all of the goals greatly reduces a patient’s risk for complications associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The goals are based on clinical guidelines approved by national health care organizations. In addition, the goals are reviewed and agreed upon by our local Physician Leadership Group, consisting of primary care physician leaders from the Greater Cincinnati community.
In the future YourHealthMatters will also report patient experience survey results. Patients in Greater Cincinnati are being asked to complete a survey about the care they received during their last visit to their primary care doctor. The survey asks about experiences that should be part of every visit: Getting care when needed, good communication, and courteous and helpful office staff. The results of the survey reflect how often patients reported the best possible experience and if they gave their primary care doctors a high rating. YourHealthMatters will also be reporting colon cancer screening rates for patients who fall into the recommended screening population.
How is the quality performance score calculated?
The performance score that is reported is a very rigorous way for a physician to measure his or her quality of care. The score itself is the percentage of patients in a medical practice who achieve all goals set for a condition. For example, one patient achieving all 5 diabetes goals or all 4 cardiovascular goals, means one point for his or her physician’s practice; when a patient misses even one of the goals, his or her physician practice gets a zero score for that patient.
Why does YourHealthMatters only report quality performance about primary care physicians and not about other specialists?
YourHealthMatters is starting with primary care physicians, but there is a plan in place to add other specialty care professionals over time.
How can I be certain that the results are accurate?
Accuracy of results depends on ensuring that all participating medical practices submit results the same way. All participating medical groups follow a rigorous process of data reporting and are independently audited to confirm accuracy.
Also, please note that the data reported are based upon care that was delivered in these practices in 2009 and 2010. Data include the scores from providers that were in the practice at that specific point in time. The providers may or may not currently be affiliated with practices listed. Additionally, the practice may or may not have changed affiliation since the time of data collection.
Some medical practices see patients who don’t have insurance or they treat sicker patients. Is any adjustment made for them?
The Physician Leadership Group, with representation from a very diverse group of practices and clinics, has determined that YourHealthMatters should not make adjustments at this time to the data based upon the types of patients or insurance coverage.
How does this report help me to understand the quality that is being delivered by my physician?
YourHealthMatters reports on the health outcomes of physician practices throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. By measuring how well physicians and patients did in achieving the goals, you will be able to understand how well a practice is doing in improving quality of care.
Is patient privacy protected?
Yes. Identifying information on patients is not included when the practice submits its data. This complies with HIPAA.
