PSI90 AHRQ Adult Patient Safety for Selected Indicators

What is the source of these Clinical Data comparisons?
The patient safety quality indicator measures shown below have been identified by the Agency for Healthcare Research (AHRQ) as being important indicators of care quality. Upstate Medical University participates in these evidence based data collections by making clinical information available to support such efforts.

The "AHRQ Target" shown in these comparisons is a calculated measure developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research, and it is based on risk adjustment information about Upstate Medical University patients. It reflects the fact that some patients are sicker than others or have preexisting conditions that make death more likely. These measures show Upstate Medical University actual and predicted outcomes as well as Upstate Medical Universities performance in relationship to other academic medical centers, as represented by the "Academic Centers' Median" shown.

What this means: This is a weighted average of reliability-adjusted ratios (RARs) for selected patient safety indicators, with each RAR weighted with NQF-selected weights. Composite = [indicator 1 RAR x weight] + [indicator 2 RAR x weight] +...+ [indicator N x weight]. The indicator RARs are a weighted average of the risk-adjusted ratios and the reference population ratios. The RAR weights are determined empirically by AHRQ. RAR = [risk-adjusted ratio x weight] + [reference population ratio x (1-weight)]. Indicator RARs are computed for the following: PSI 3 Pressure Ulcer; PSI 6 Iatrogenic Pneumothorax; PSI 7 Central Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections; PSI 8 Postop Hip Fracture; PSI 12 Post PE or DVT; PSI 13 Postop Sepsis; PSI 14 Postop Wound Dehiscence; PSI 15 Accidental Puncture or Laceration.

Why is it important: A low rate is an indicator of good patient care process and techniques.

What this means: This measures the percentage of cases of "decubitus ulcer" (also known as pressure sores or bedsores) who have been in the hospital more than four days. Pressure sores can develop when a person is immobile and are more likely to occur among elderly or fragile patients.

Why is it important: Pressure sores can develop into wounds that are complicated to treat. A low rate is an indicator of good patient care process.

What this means: This indicator flags the percentage of cases of pneumothorax caused by medical care. "Pneumothorax" is air in the chest, outside of the lung, which can cause the lung to collapse. "Iatrogenic" refers to any condition caused by medical or therapeutic care.

Why is it important: A small pneumothorax may resolve itself without treatment; a pneumothorax resulting from lung disease or injury requires immediate treatment.

What this means: This indicates the percentage of patients that developed infections resulting from hospitalization.

Why is it important: Good patient care process reduces the risk for this complication.

What this means: This measures the percentage of patients who break in their hip following surgery, usually due to a fall.

Why is it important: This measures the ability of a hospital to prevent falls and injury.

What this means: This measure is used to assess the percentage of cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) with an operating room procedure. These are serious conditions caused by blood clots that detach and travel through the body.

Why is it important: There are many ways to treat blood clots; prompt treatment is a sign of good patient care process.

What this means: This measures the percentage of patients who have infection in their blood or tissue following surgery.

Why is it important: Sepsis following surgery is a serious complication, but many cases are preventable through good patient care process.

What this means: This refers to the percentage of surgical patients where a surgical wound reopens.

Why is it important: Nationwide, certain procedures, especially abdominal surgeries, are associated with a higher incidence of wound dehiscence. This is a serious complication requiring immediate medical attention.

What this means: This refers to the percentage of unintended injuries during a procedure among surgical patients.

Why is it important: A low rate is an indicator of good patient care process and techniques.