Measures

Outcome Measures

How does the system impact the values of patients, their health and wellbeing? What are impacts on other stakeholders such as payers, employees, or the community?

• For diabetes: Average hemoglobin A1c level for population of patients with diabetes
• For access: Number of days to 3rd next available appointment
• For critical care: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) percent unadjusted mortality
• For medication systems: Adverse drug events per 1,000 doses

Process Measures
Are the parts/steps in the system performing as planned? Are we on track in our efforts to
improve the system?

• For diabetes: Percentage of patients whose hemoglobin A1c level was measured twice in the past year
• For access: Average daily clinician hours available for appointments
• For critical care: Percent of patients with intentional rounding completed on schedule.

Balancing Measures (looking at a system from different directions/dimensions)
Are changes designed to improve one part of the system causing new problems in other parts of the system?

• For reducing time patients spend on a ventilator after surgery: Make sure reintubation rates are not increasing
• For reducing patients’ length of stay in the hospital: Make sure readmission rates are not increasing

For every project you will need between 5-8 measures.