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"U.S. Scores dead last again in healthcare study"
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS...mesticNews&feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews
How does the Commonwealth Fund define "quality of care"? After looking at their criteria, I think its an unfair to say the US is "dead" last. Many minute measures of quality are given the same weight as a very important measure of quality. Some of these differences are a matter of opinion, so I encourage you all to agree or disagree with me on the things I point out below:
The commonwealth fund put together this interactive website that details their decision making:
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/site_docs/slideshows/MirrorMirror/MirrorMirror.html
What the United States ranked 6th or 7th place in:
Effective Care Measures:
Things in purple disappointed me.
Now this is what we ranked 1st or 2nd in:
Effective Care Measures:
None
Coordinated Care Measures:
There is nothing about cancer survival rates, ability to treat severe diseases, or research spending - i.e. areas where the US spends LOTS of money. Had they taken these into consideration, I think (in combination with consolidating the red points above), the US would be in 3rd or 4th place. That still gives us lots of room for improvement. Still, after looking at this website, I can say that the US should NOT be ranked last in this comparison.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS...mesticNews&feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews
How does the Commonwealth Fund define "quality of care"? After looking at their criteria, I think its an unfair to say the US is "dead" last. Many minute measures of quality are given the same weight as a very important measure of quality. Some of these differences are a matter of opinion, so I encourage you all to agree or disagree with me on the things I point out below:
The commonwealth fund put together this interactive website that details their decision making:
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/site_docs/slideshows/MirrorMirror/MirrorMirror.html
What the United States ranked 6th or 7th place in:
Effective Care Measures:
- "Physicians reporting it is easy to print out a list of patients who are due or over or overdue for tests or preventative care"
- "Has chronic condition and did not follow recommended care or treatment plan because of cost"
- "Physicians reporting it is easy to print out a list of patients by diagnosis"
- "Physicians reporting it is easy to print out a list of all medications taken by individual patients, including those prescribed by other doctors"
- "Given the wrong medication or wrong dose by a doctor, nurse, hospital, or pharmacist in the past 2 years.
- "Given incorrect results for a diagnostic or lab test in past 2 years"
- "Experienced delays in being notified about abnormal test results in past 2 years"
- "Have a regular doctor"
- "Percent for whom specialist did not have medical history"
- "When PCPs refer to specialist, they always or often receive a report back with all relevant health information"
- "Percent of PCPs reporting the amount of time they spend coordinating care for patients is a major problem"
- "Time was often or sometimes wasted because medical care was poorly organized"
- "Doctor always explains things in a way you can understand" ** Note: This is odd because we ranked 2nd in "Doctor often gives clear instructions about symptoms when to seek further care".
- "With same doctors 5 years or more"
- "Regular doctor knows important information about patient's medical history"
Things in purple disappointed me.
Now this is what we ranked 1st or 2nd in:
Effective Care Measures:
- "Receives reminders for preventative/follow-up care"
- "Doctor asked if emotional issues were affecting health"
- "Received advice from doctor on weight, nutrition, or exercise"
- "Patients with hypertension who have had cholesterol checked in past year"
- "PCPs that routinely provide patients with chronic diseases written instructions"
None
Coordinated Care Measures:
- "Know whom to contact for questions about condition or treatment"
- "Receive written plan for care after discharge"
- "Hospital made arrangements for follow up visits with a doctor or other HC professional when leaving the hospital"
- "Patient can communicate with regular place of care by email"
- "Received clear instructions about symptoms to watch for and when to seek further care when leaving the hospital"
- "Regular doctor always or often encouraged you to ask questions"
- "Regular doctor always or often gives clear instructions about symptoms, when to seek further care"
There is nothing about cancer survival rates, ability to treat severe diseases, or research spending - i.e. areas where the US spends LOTS of money. Had they taken these into consideration, I think (in combination with consolidating the red points above), the US would be in 3rd or 4th place. That still gives us lots of room for improvement. Still, after looking at this website, I can say that the US should NOT be ranked last in this comparison.