Evaluation und Überarbeitung der Qualitätsindikatoren in der operativen Gynäkologie

Objective: Quality indicators are used to assess the quality of medical care. To be effective and efficient these indicators have to meet quality criteria themselves, but at present there is no approved method for validating quality indicators. We developed a comprehensive validation procedure and used it to assess and revise the existing indicator set used in Germany for gynecologic surgery. Methods: The validation method was developed according to a review of the literature. The validation procedure was then used to evaluate quality indicators in a database of gynecologic operations performed in the German state of Hesse between 1997 and 1999. Results: The validation procedure led to modifications and redefiniton of various quality indicators. Conclusion: The revised set of quality indicators fulfills the most important methodologic criteria for quality indicators. This suggests that the revised indicators should be used for routine quality assessment in gynecologic surgery.