Development of a set of measurable outcome indicators for Flemish patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: Uniform and standardised quality measurement allows care assessment and improvement. Following a pragmatic consensus method we aimed to agree on a selection of measurable quality indicators that can be used to assess, benchmark and gradually improve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care in Flanders.

Methods: Of 49 structures, 135 processes and 37 outcome indicators identified through literature, 58 were preselected and reformulated into measurable outcome indicators by four IBD physicians. A larger expert group scored the 58 indicators on a 10-point importance scale twice, endorsed by patient and expert perspectives in between rounds. Additional items could be suggested. A final selection and subset of indicators with room for improvement were agreed upon during a consensus meeting.

Results: Fifty indicators received an importance score of 7 or higher by ≥80% of the participants (seven IBD nurses, one abdominal surgeon, one chief medical officer and 31 IBD physicians including two paediatricians). Eight indicators scored highly important by 60-80%, two indicators reintroduced by patients and one newly suggested, were discussed during the consensus meeting. Among 26 participants, eight indicators were agreed to be added to the final selection. Of the 58 selected items, 19 were retained in the improvement subset, related to patient-reported outcomes, use of hospital services and survival, patient characteristics, monitoring of disease activity and remission, endoscopy guidelines, infection prevention, steroid and other medication use.

Conclusion: Fifty-eight indicators were selected to assess IBD care in Flanders and a subset of 19 for use in clinical practice to steer quality improvement initiatives.