Combination of National Quality Assurance Data Collection With a Standard Operating Procedure in Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Win-Win Strategy?

PURPOSE: The primary contact for German physicians with national quality assurance in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is frequently experienced as time-consuming obligatory documentation. Since the regular feedback loop stretches up to 18 months, the immediate impact on quality is perceived as rather low. Ultimately, a method leading to increase in the quality of data collection, clarification on expected clinical treatment standards, and improvement in the acceptance and feedback mechanism is needed. METHODS: We developed a form merging data collection for quality indicators with a standard operating procedure (SOP) in CAP and implemented it in the daily routine of a university's department for internal medicine. Fulfillment of quality indicators before and after the implementation of the new form was measured. RESULTS: Critical parameters such as the documentation of breathing rate and clinical parameters at discharge strongly improved after implementation of the intervention. Uncritical parameters showed slight improvement or stable results at a high level. CONCLUSION: The combination of collection of quality data with a clinical SOP and context information may improve the impact of quality measures by increasing acceptance, quality of data capture, short-loop feedback, and possibly quality of care.