ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Each year the number of surgical procedures performed on an outpatient basis increases, yet relatively little is known about assessing and improving quality of care in ambulatory surgery. Conventional methods for evaluating outcomes, which are based on assessment of inpatient services, are inadequate in the rapidly changing, geographically dispersed field of ambulatory surgery. Internet-based systems for improving outcomes and establishing benchmarks may be feasible and timely. METHODS: Eleven freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) reported process and outcome data for 3,966 outpatient surgical procedures to an outcomes monitoring system (OMS), during a demonstration period from April 1997 to April 1999. ASCs downloaded software and protocol manuals from the OMS Web site. Centers securely submitted clinical information on perioperative process and outcome measures and postoperative patient telephone interviews. Feedback to centers ranged from current and historical rates of surgical and postsurgical complications to patient satisfaction and the adequacy of postsurgical pain relief. RESULTS: ASCs were able to successfully implement the data collection protocols and transmit data to the OMS. Data security efforts were successful in preventing the transmission of patient identifiers. Feedback reports to ASCs were used to institute changes in ASC staffing, patient care, and patient education, as well as for accreditation and marketing. The demonstration also pointed out shortcomings in the OMS, such as the need to simplify hardware and software installation as well as data collection and transfer methods, which have been addressed in subsequent OMS versions. DISCUSSION: Internet-based benchmarking for geographically dispersed outpatient health care facilities, such as ASCs, is feasible and likely to play a major role in this effort.
Subject(s)
Benchmarking/methods , Internet , Online Systems , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care/methods , Surgicenters/standards , Computer Security , Confidentiality , Data Collection/methods , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Medical Records Systems, Computerized , Pilot Projects , Surgicenters/statistics & numerical data , United StatesABSTRACT
Physicians are working harder today and enjoying it less. What has happened to create such dissatisfaction among those in one of the most autonomous professions? What can be done to address the anger, fear and unhappiness? This article is an analysis of the factors influencing human motivation. Maslow's hierarchy of needs--physiological, safety/security, social/affiliation, esteem and self-actualization--is used to suggest ways physicians can satisfy their needs in turbulent financial and professional times.
