5 Appropriate measures for functional health status could include anxiety level, pain management, physical and psychological health, and time to return to work and normal activities. Satisfaction measures may evaluate satisfaction with caring, concern, teaching, and pain management. Other satisfaction measures could include satisfaction with timeliness of care, congruence of expectations, family member teaching, and staff member and provider satisfaction. Cost measures may include inpatient charges, cancellation rate, length of stay, total charges, admission rate, and patient days away from work. Next, establish definitions and determine reliable sources of data.
Data collection begins with the collection of information for baseline measures.
Follow-up measurements can help staff members understand how effective the program is and identify areas for continuous improvement. Using the clinical value compass can provide a helpful framework for program evaluation. It helps clinicians establish measurement criteria and provides valuable data about a patient care program's worth. Remember that a successful innovation that demonstrates continuous improvement will provide quality care for patients and their family members.