Authors: Pines, Jesse M.; Hollander, Judd E.; Datner, Elizabeth M.; Metlay, Joshua P.

Source: Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 32, Number 9, September 2006 , pp. 531-535(5)

Publisher: Joint Commission Resources

Abstract:

Background: Health care practitioners and hospital administrators have focused on a performance measure regarding antibiotic timing for patients with community-acquired pneumonia in anticipation of a pay-for-performance program through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and private payers.

Antibiotic Timing as a Performance Measure: Early antibiotic administration is associated with improved outcomes, even after adjusting for severity. Yet although some patients may benefit through the early administration of antibiotics, there is a risk to other patients who are treated concurrently. Some patients' care may be delayed because they may not receive the same priority as patients with suspected pneumonia. Other patients may receive inappropriate antibiotics for suspected pneumonia to shorten the time to administration.

Potential Impact of Pay for Performance: Attempts to address the performance measure are probably dependent on how well the emergency department functions and the level of crowding. Patients with a suspected pneumonia may be empirically covered with antibiotics before radiographic diagnosis, which should increase the rate of antibiotic administration for antibiotic-nonresponsive conditions and contribute to antibiotic resistance. The answer is to find measures of system throughput and/or work flow that are associated with improved patient care outcomes.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-09-01

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• Published monthly, The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to providing health professionals with the information they need to promote the quality and safety of health care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety invites original manuscripts on the development, adaptation, and/or implementation of innovative thinking, strategies, and practices in improving quality and safety in health care. Case studies, program or project reports, reports of new methodologies or new applications of methodologies, research studies on the effectiveness of improvement interventions, and commentaries on issues and practices are all considered.
  
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