[The quality indigators program in Clalit Health Services: the first decade]

The quality indicators program in the community has existed in Clalit Health Services for over a decade. As a part of this program, approximately 70 evidence-based quality indicators have been defined, in 11 different domains. The indicators relate to preventive medicine (immunizations, early detection of diseases, e.g. colorectal cancer, breast cancer, hypertension, chronic renal failure), chronic disease management (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, asthma, congestive heart failure), care of the elderly (prevention of repeated hospitalizations) and child care (obesity detection, anemia detection and treatment). The indicators program is founded on one of the worldwide leading information systems, based on a common data warehouse with data regarding sociodemographic factors, purchase of medications, health services utilization, laboratory and imaging data, as well as a unique, validated registry of chronic diseases. The program has led to progress in several domains, including control of diabetes and hyperlipidemia, pneumococcal vaccination and early detection of colorectal cancer. The program narrowed the gaps and reduced inequalities between the Arab and Jewish populations, and between socioeconomic levels. The improvement in quality indicators is based on teamwork of physicians, nurses, other health professionals and administrative staff. The day-to-day work and the major effort invested in Clalit's enrollees are reflected in the continuing improvement in clinical quality.