QA systems can help improve an organization's operation both pro-actively and retrospectively. Obviously, the best way to correct a deficiency is to prevent it. Therefore, a good QA system should produce tickler reports that list specific clinical and documentation activities including dates for completion, follow up review dates and case review schedules. Another aspect of QA that a computer can help with is retrospectively checking the patient record. In automated clinical record systems the timeliness and completeness of entries to the record can be tested to assure that the required elements are present, and that they are appropriate to the case under consideration.
Some applications can determine if the documentation was entered into the record in a timely manner.
This is done by checking entry dates against required time limits calculated from the date of admission, date of service, date of last plan, etc. The computer, based on entries into the patient's record, can also select high risk or difficult cases. Alert flags and various clinical criteria can be tested, and records selected, for review. Indicators of critical events or conditions can be searched for and the system can flag the record for a more detailed and intensive evaluation or peer review. The system should also provide the ability to collect and monitor outcomes for individual cases as well as subgroups of treatment populations.