Best Practice Products
Reproductive Health
HealthMETRICS has found substantial variation in the processes used to deliver reproductive health services among various sites, even within the same organization. The Best Practices Project identifies and/or transfers the most effective process for providing services for the initial visit for oral contraceptives and Depo Provera.
Adopting Best Practice processes that have been identified can:
- Reduce costs over 20% within four months,
- Enhance patient and staff satisfaction, and
- Maintain or improve clinical outcomes.
Our Current Clients
HealthMETRICS has worked with over 330 clients in 38 states to develop Best Practices for reproductive health services. Clients have included departments of health and private family planning organizations from New England to Florida, in both urban and rural regions. For a list of participants, click here.
What We Will Deliver
Process description and site data on:
- Unit costs
- Patient satisfaction
- Staff satisfaction
- Clinical Outcomes
Benchmarking
Comparison to 330 providers in 38 states and the Best Practice identified. Data is adjusted for regional economic differences and demographics.
Best Practices Description
Detailed description of the Best Practice’s operations including, but not limited to:
- Staffing structure
- Job responsibilities
- Patient flow
- Clinic layout
- Scheduling structure
- Other key systems
Site-specific, actionable recommendations to change the process when changes will generate measurable improvements in outcomes. Recommendations are based on the detailed comparison of a site’s process and outcomes to those of the Best Practice.
What We Will Ask Of You
Providers involved in the project to identify best practices will be expected to deliver the following services in support of the effort:
Designate a project liaison.
An individual at each site will be responsible for coordinating data collection efforts with the HealthMETRICS staff.
Collect data.
A. Patient Satisfaction and Staff Satisfaction:
Clinic personnel will be responsible for distributing patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction forms. These forms will be returned directly to HealthMETRICS.
Effort:
Patient Satisfaction: minimal
Staff Satisfaction: minimal
B. Unit Cost Information:
A representative from the finance office of the participant will be asked to complete several forms designed to identify unit costs. To the extent the information is not easily available, HealthMETRICS staff will work with the participating organization to accumulate the appropriate material. Completion of charts indicating time required by certain staff to provide specific services is also required to calculate unit costs.
Effort:
Financial Worksheets: 4-8 hours
Time Logs: minimal
Clinical Indicators:
C. A review of charts will be required to assess the clinical quality of a visit. The review will be conducted by a nurse or other appropriately trained staff from the participating organization. HealthMETRICS will provide the tools necessary to facilitate collection of the data. A sample size of 50 patients is required for each site analyzed.
Effort:
Identification of Appropriate Charts: 2-3 hours
Review of Records: 2-3 hours