Clinical indicators and their role in quality management

In this paper the authors look at the proactive role performance indicators can and should play in managing for quality in health care facilities. In particular, they highlight the use of clinical indicators as a means of providing evidence of value-for-money and best quality delivery of care. The argument is presented that management can no longer ignore indicators as a quality assurance tool and an important component of managing for quality over time. The authors demonstrate where indicators fit into the traditional quality assurance cycle and describe strategies for analysing problems and setting priorities. They also argue that managers need to invest in management information systems in order to provide the data needed for performance monitoring. Accurate and complete indicator data are needed if the goals of quality management and optimal quality of care are to be achieved.