An International prevalence measurement of care problems: study protocol

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this article was to describe the design of an international audit of the prevalence of care problems in different healthcare sectors using identical methodologies. Background. Audits, defined as a monitor of quality of health care, are increasingly applied in many countries as a strategy to improve professional practice and quality and safety of care. A prerequisite to enable a reliable comparison of quality of care audits is the use of identical instruments and methodology. Design. Annual cross-sectional multi-centre point prevalence survey. Method. This international prevalence measurement of care problems in hospitals, care homes and home care is performed in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and New Zealand. This study is based on a prevalence measurement of care problems originally performed in the Netherlands. For each care problem (pressure ulcer, incontinence, malnutrition, falls and restraints) at patient level, next to patient characteristics, data are gathered about the prevalence, prevention and treatment of each care problem. In addition, at ward/department and institution level, specific quality indicators are measured related to the care problems. After the measurement, institutions enter their data into a web-based data-entry program. Institutions receive an overview of their own results and results at national level to enable a process of benchmarking. Discussion. A uniform way of measuring the prevalence of care problems internationally is a significant step forward in gaining insight into the quality of basic care in different healthcare settings in different countries and may lead to more awareness and improvement programmes.

Comparison of care dependency and related nursing care problems between Austrian nursing home residents with and without dementia

“…The Austrian Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems survey [8] as part of the International Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems survey is a cross-sectional, multi-centre point prevalence study conducted annually in Austria [22]. This study analysed the data from Austrian nursing homes between 2009 and 2012 (4 measurement points).…”

“…The original Dutch questionnaire was translated into German by professional translators and was back translated and double-checked for nomenclature and cultural differences by the Austrian project group and experts in nursing care quality [22]. Based on expert feedback, small language changes were made which had no impact on questionnaire content.…”

“…It does so by measuring the degree of care dependency and the prevalence, prevention and treatment of nursing care problems (pressure ulcers, incontinence, malnutrition, intertrigo, falls, restraints) as well as by measuring the availability of structural quality indicators (e.g. guidelines) using a standardized and comprehensive questionnaire [22]. The survey is conducted annually on one day in different healthcare settings (e.g.…”

“…The survey is conducted annually on one day in different healthcare settings (e.g. nursing homes, hospitals) in the Netherlands (since 1998), Austria, Germany, Switzerland and New Zealand [22]. The first survey in Austria was issued in 2009.…”

“…This is why statistical data is integral to adequate care, as it provides institutions with an overview of the extent of care dependency and nursing care problems suffered by their residents. These data help health care professionals to consciously introduce changes into their daily practice that will improve quality of care [8,22].…”