Benchmarking outcomes in dysphasia using the Therapy Outcome Measure

Background: Quality improvement in health care seeks to drive equitable, effective, and appropriate services. Benchmarking can be used as a tool for acquiring clinical information to inform and monitor change in order to identify commonalities and significant differences. Aims: This study reports on a benchmarking study of eight speech and language therapy services providing interventions for persons with dysphasia, addressing three questions related to equity of access to treatment; changes associated with treatment; and profiles on discharge. Methods & Procedures: The Therapy Outcome Measure (TOM) (Enderby & John, 1997) was used as the indicator. The SLTs were trained and inter-rater reliability checked. Data were collected on consecutively referred cases on entry to treatment and on discharge. Outcomes & Results: No difference was found in the profiles of patients referred to the different services on entry to treatment. While a significant difference was found between the services in the number of cas...