Policy Proposal: Improving Quality and Performance Associated with Mercy Medical Center Benchmark Metric Underperformance

Policy Proposal: Improving Quality and Performance Associated with Mercy Medical Center Benchmark Metric Underperformance

According to the metric underperformance identified in the Mercy Medical Center

Benchmark Evaluation Dashboard, there is a need to develop and implement a policy aimed at

improving the quality of health outcomes. This policy proposal and practice guidelines will

encourage team collaboration within the organization to resolve the issue of low and reduced

patient turnout for foot and HgbA1c exams registered. Policy change is considered the nation's

health promotion strategy (Pollack Porter et al. (2018). A policy is a voice of change that can be

used to sensitize all involved stakeholders to make a difference that will bring about

improvements in the quality and safety of care.

The Need for Creating a Policy to Address a Reduction Rate of Foot Exams and Hgba1c

Screening

After evaluating the Vila Health benchmark dashboard, an underperformance benchmark was

identified. There were some aspects based on the patient records; there is a noticeable drop in the

number of patients coming in for foot exams, from 60 in the first quarter to 42 in the third quarter

of the same year, 2019. Also, an observable drop in the number of patients coming in for

HgbA1c exams between the first quarter at 60, and the fourth quarter at 42 in 2019. In the year

2020, a noticeable drop from 72 in the first quarter to 64 in the fourth quarter. This is a

benchmark underperformance because it does not match the state benchmark set by National

Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, NHQR. A consistent, observable increase in the

number of patients tested for the HgbA1c and foot exams benchmarked at an increased level of