Measuring productivity in quality assurance.

In a climate of financial viability in early 1986, productivity measurement and analysis were implemented as major components of the quality assurance program at University Medical Center at the Arizona Health Sciences Center. The purpose was basically to balance the benefits of conducting an integrated quality assurance program with the operational costs. A fully integrated quality assurance program was implemented at University Medical Center during June, 1985. Comprehensive, 100 percent chart screening is conducted utilizing occurrence screening criteria and criteria for all required JCAH clinical monitors. The quality assurance program is based on the Medical Management Analysis (MMA) system established by Joyce W. Craddick, M.D. Since the immediate plan of the hospital administration's financial sector was to develop units of service for nonrevenue-producing cost centers, the QA director was obligated to develop standards that would demonstrate effective management of the QA department's resources and would project revenue requirements for program development. The QA director elected to conduct a productivity study which resulted in the establishment of performance standards that are currently utilized in budget development to determine staffing needs; to appraise employee performance; and to perform trend analysis.