Quality assessment by process and outcome methods: evaluation of emergency room care of asthmatic adults

Weighted process criteria based on chart review and weighted outcome criteria based on telephone interview were used to assess the quality of care for adult patients with asthma in the emergency rooms of a municipal and a voluntary hospital which share medical personnel. Process scores were highly correlated with 24-hour outcome scores at both hospitals but not with 7-day outcome scores. Our findings suggest that appropriate weighted process and outcome criteria are valid and useful methods for quality assessment, and underline the importance of choice of an appropriate "time window" for assessment of outcome. In addition, these assessment methods provide important "feedback" information for those providing care in the emergency room. (Am J Public Health 1981;71:687-693)