Posted by Sten Westgard, MSThis week two Harvard doctors wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal: Why 'Quality' care is dangerous (subscription may be required, depending on time of access). In this essay, they warn of the dangers of what they term the "quality metrics" that provide the basis for "pay-for-performance" systems that may govern physician reimbursement. Under any of the proposed healthcare reforms, P4P schemes may be used as a way to "incentivize" doctors and clinicians to provide the right care to their patients.
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In a recent article in Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, a
group over in the UK did an unusual thing - they audited their IQC (internal
quality control) practices. The North Thames Audit and Quality Assurance Group
use a questionnaire to assess the IQC practices in 54 laboratories in part of the United Kingdom. Here's the specific citation: