Skip to main content

Table 3 Quality of Care Domain

From: Study protocol: Evaluating the impact of a rural Australian primary health care service on rural health

Components

Reason for selection

Sentinel indicator items

Data source

References

Primary prevention

    

Cervical cancer screening

Cervical smear tests improve the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer and improve survival and quality of life.

Cervical cancer screening coverage

Audit

NHHRC [17]

Immunisation

Immunisation is a very important public health measure that can prevent the spread of common infectious diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality.

Immunisation coverage:

Audit

AIHW [21], NHHRC [17]

  

   • Children

  
  

   • Older adults (65+years)

  
  

   • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

  

Secondary prevention

    

Recording of modifiable risk factors in medical records

Many common chronic diseases are preventable if the risk factors are identified and managed so that there can be improved health status and reduced health inequalities and need for health care.

   • Smoking status

Audit

AIHW [21] Broemeling [10]

  

   • Body Mass Index

  
  

   • Alcohol use

  
  

   • Blood pressure

  

Treatment goals and outcomes

    

Safety

Minimizing or eliminating inappropriate prescribing improves quality of care and health outcomes.

Safety - Risk management plan and use of medication alerts

Audit Audit

RACGP [20]

Diabetes mellitus

The percentage of patients with diabetes mellitus for whom the ideal treatment goal of HbA1c* < 7% is met.

Management of diabetes mellitus (HbA1c readings)

Audit

CIHI [18] NHHRC [17]

  1. * HbA1c is a test that measures the amount of glycosylated haemoglobin in the blood - levels below 6% are normal; a person with diabetes mellitus should aim to keep their levels below 7% to reduce the risk of diabetic complications.