Performance indicators--their place in health care evaluation

To report on some of the more important performance indicators used at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Sydney.

Clinical data collected using DRG technology is reviewed by the Clinical Review Committee and its subcommittees. Administrative data and consumer satisfaction sampling by questionnaire are used to provide other performance indices. Performance indicators are reviewed on a quarterly basis to assess quality of care. The importance of definitions and subset analysis is emphasised and the cost effectiveness of using DRG technology to retrieve data is presented.

Performance indicators are a cost-effective, sensitive tool to assist in the evaluation of the quality of health care.