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Table 1 Denominators and numerators used in calculating the selected outcome measures

From: An evaluation of the quality of ear health services for Aboriginal children living in remote Australia: a cascade of care analysis

Cascade

Step

Outcome measure

Denominator

Numerator

1

B

Proportion of those aged < 17 who received 1 or more ear examinations in a six-month period (the primary outcome of HfLI)a

The number of participants who were usual residents of the included communities aged < 17 at the start of the calendar year

The number of participants in the denominator who had received 1 or more ear examinations during the 6-month period under examination

C

Proportion of those who received 1 or more ear examinations and were diagnosed with a form of otitis media

Numerator for B

The number participants who were diagnosed with a form of otitis media during the 6-month period under examination

2a

D1

Proportion of participants in C who required more immediate treatment and follow-up

Numerator for C

The number of participants who were diagnosed with a form of otitis media requiring more immediate treatment and follow-up, in the same 6-month period

D2

Proportion of participants in D1 who were treated according to the Guidelinesb

Numerator for D1

The number of participants in E1, who were treated according to the Guidelinesb

D3

Proportion of participants in E1 who were followed up in < 14 days

Numerator for D1

The number of participants in D1 who were followed up in < 14 days

2b

E1

Proportion of participants diagnosed with a form of OM, which was bilateral OME, in a calendar year

The number of participants who were usual residents of the included communities aged < 17 at the start of the calendar year, and were diagnosed with a form of OM in a calendar year

The number of participants who were diagnosed with bilateral OME in the same calendar year

E2

Proportion of participants in 2b-E1 who were followed up in < 4 month

Numerator for E1

The number of participants who were diagnosed with bilateral OME and were followed up in < 4 month in the same calendar year

  1. The measures in shaded cells (Cascade 2b) were calculated by calendar years. OM Otitis media, OME Otitis media with effusion, HfLI Hearing for Learning Initiative
  2. aTwo service items in the Results module of the PCIS dataset were used to identify ear examinations performed, including’EAR EXAMINATION’ and ‘EAR EXAMINATION—HSAK CHECK’ (HSAK stands for Healthy school-age kids program)
  3. bRecommendations for Clinical Care Guidelines on the Management of Otitis Media in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Populations (April 2010), Commonwealth of Australia
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BMC Health Services Research

ISSN: 1472-6963

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