Enhancing Quality of Prosthetic and Orthotic Services with Process and Outcome Information
Overview
Why is this study needed?
Despite the availability of standard measures to assess functional status, quality of life and satisfaction with services and devices, provider enthusiasm for routine outcomes monitoring and improvement is diminished by the time and expense. We propose to work with the American Board for Certification in Prosthetics, Orthotics and Pedorthics (ABC) and Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) to develop an outcomes monitoring, data collection and reporting service and education program that gives providers the information they need to improve patient care quality.
How will this study help patients and rehabilitation stakeholders?
This study will enhance quality healthcare in prosthetic and orthotic practices and help increase efficiency and support initiatives that improve patient outcomes as well as allow providers to compare their patient outcomes with other providers.
What are the project objectives?
- Objective 1: Develop a database of process and outcome indicators that are useful in guiding clinical practice improvement activities
- Objective 2: Develop an educational curriculum that enhances clinicians’ ability to integrate process and outcome information in improving P&O care delivery quality
- Objective 3: Analyze facility compliance with ABC’s Performance Management and Improvement Standards
- Objective 4: Evaluate and refine the curriculum on use of quality indicators to improve clinical practice and outcomes
How will the project objectives be achieved?
We will work with FOTO to develop a data entry system that provides secure and confidential outcomes information to ABC-accredited programs. We will evaluate the utility of this system and a quality improvement education curriculum developed in collaboration with NUPOC in terms of the actions providers take to enhance the quality of their patient outcomes.
What agency funded this project?
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
What is the duration of the project?
October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2013
Project Staff
Co-Principal Investiagors:
Allen Heinemann, Ph.D., Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Linda Ehrlich-Jones, Ph.D, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Co-Investigators:
Mike Brncick, CPO (NUPOC)
Dennis Hart, Ph.D., PT (FOTO)
Catherine Carter (American Board for Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics)
Project Manager:
Dustin Williams, MS, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Related Project Research Web Sites
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
Northwestern University Prosthetics Research Laboratory and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Program
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics
Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes
Contact Information
For researchers and students:
Allen Heinemann, Ph.D.
a-heinemann@northwestern.edu
312-238-2802
For members of the media:
312-238-6044