Implementing a performance evaluation system in a correctional managed care pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pharmacy Administration
• Correctional Healthcare

Background:

• Correctional managed care pharmacy services provide healthcare to approximately 150,000 offenders in Texas.
• Services are delivered through a partnership between the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and two university systems.
• The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) manages distributive pharmacy services for over 140 facilities, handling 9,000-15,000 medication orders daily.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a departmental performance evaluation system for a correctional managed care pharmacy.
• To establish quality indicators and measurement systems for evaluating departmental performance within the UTMB Correctional Managed Care system.
• To integrate the pharmacy department into the operational performance evaluation system (OPES) for pay-for-performance determination.

Main Methods:

• Development of seven weighted pharmaceutical care quality indicators reflecting quality and productivity.
• Creation of a data collection, measurement, and reporting system for departmental performance.
• Implementation of the operational performance evaluation system (OPES) within the pharmacy department.

Main Results:

• The implemented system allows for the measurement of service quality and identification of areas for improvement.
• Performance can be tracked over time, facilitating cost reduction and enhanced productivity.
• The system promotes awareness and interdependence among pharmacy department personnel.

Conclusions:

• Departmental performance evaluation systems are crucial for measuring and improving service quality in correctional pharmacy.
• Setting concrete goals through such systems enhances operational efficiency and staff collaboration.
• The developed system provides a framework for continuous quality improvement in pharmaceutical care delivery to offenders.