Quality and Outcomes Framework Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Hospital resource use for COPD patients varies by both clinical commissioning group and primary care practices across nine CCGs in the United Kingdom
COPD causes a large disease and cost burden to the UK population. Key to understanding how to improve health within the COPD community and budget most efficiently, is understanding current practice uniformity in resource allocation.We have combined Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) Registry data to analyse the hospital resource use for COPD patients across the UK region of Wessex (April 2013 to March 2014). HES and QOF data was available for 320 Primary Care Practices and all 9 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). We compared the average inpatient spend and length of stay for ...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - October 30, 2015 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Rigge, L., Ratcliff, F., Lippiett, K., Josephs, L., Thomas, M., Wilkinson, T. Tags: 1.6 General Practice and Primary Care Source Type: research

Variation in non-elective hospital admission and consequent asthma costs across primary care practice and clinical commissioning group (CCG), Wessex, United Kingdom
Asthma control remains a challenge in the UK with hospital admissions reflecting a subset of the population at risk of life threatening asthma. Understanding the uniformity of hospital admissions is the first step towards ensuring most effective clinical resource allocation.We combined Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) Registry data to analyse the hospital admission rates for asthma patients across the UK region of Wessex (April 2013 to March 2014). HES and QOF data was available for 309 Primary Care Practices and all 9 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). We compared the aver...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - October 30, 2015 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Rigge, L., Ratcliff, F., Lippiett, K., Josephs, L., Thomas, M., Wilkinson, T. Tags: 1.6 General Practice and Primary Care Source Type: research

Glycaemic control and lipid concentrations in a cohort of people with diabetes over 7 years of follow‐up: a regional audit of diabetes care in the UK
ConclusionsGlycaemic control showed remarkable stability over 7 years of follow‐up, despite increasing patient age and duration of diabetes. More patients achieved lipid targets in 2013 than in 2006. Although baseline HbA1c was a predictor of death at follow‐up, baseline HbA1c differed little between survivors, non‐survivors and those lost to follow‐up. (Source: Diabetic Medicine)
Source: Diabetic Medicine - August 18, 2015 Category: Endocrinology Authors: P. Wainwright, I. Oluwatowoju, A. Ryan, E. Abu, C. D. Byrne Tags: Short Report: Care Delivery Source Type: research

The mortality rate in England between 2007 and 2012 was not associated with the quality of primary care in an established pay for performance programme
This study aimed to examine the relationship between primary care performance of quality indicators included in the QOF and changes in mortality. Methods This was an analysis of a longitudinal data... (Source: Evidence-Based Medicine)
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - July 24, 2015 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Fleetcroft, R. Tags: EBM Quality improvement, Medical management, Clinical trials (epidemiology), Epidemiologic studies, General practice / family medicine, Drugs: cardiovascular system, Stroke, Hypertension, Diet, Ischaemic heart disease, Renal medicine, Guidelines Source Type: research

Glycaemic control and lipid concentrations in a cohort of people with diabetes with 7‐year follow‐up: a regional audit of diabetes care in the UK
ConclusionsGlycaemic control showed remarkable stability over 7 years of follow‐up, despite increasing patient age and duration of diabetes. More patients achieved lipid targets in 2013 than in 2006. Although baseline HbA1c was a predictor of death at follow‐up, baseline HbA1c differed little between survivors, non‐survivors and those lost to follow‐up.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. (Source: Diabetic Medicine)
Source: Diabetic Medicine - July 14, 2015 Category: Endocrinology Authors: P. Wainwright, I. Oluwatowoju, A. Ryan, E. Abu, C. D. Byrne Tags: Short Report Source Type: research

Appropriateness of prescribing thyroxine in primary care
Conclusion Of the patients on the register, only 43.6% had documented biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism and, from notes review of those without documented hypothyroidism, at least two-thirds may have been prescribed thyroxine outwith current national guidance. If this is correct, it has significant resource implications, impacts upon the workload of primary care, pharmacy and the laboratory service and may have clinical implications for patients. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - June 15, 2015 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Cooper, R., Pinkney, J., Ayling, R. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Are fluoride levels in drinking water associated with hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A large observational study of GP practice data and fluoride levels in drinking water
Background While previous research has suggested that there is an association between fluoride ingestion and the incidence of hypothyroidism, few population level studies have been undertaken. In England, approximately 10% of the population live in areas with community fluoridation schemes and hypothyroidism prevalence can be assessed from general practice data. This observational study examines the association between levels of fluoride in water supplies with practice level hypothyroidism prevalence. Methods We used a cross-sectional study design using secondary data to develop binary logistic regression models of predic...
Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health - June 10, 2015 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Peckham, S., Lowery, D., Spencer, S. Tags: Epidemiologic studies, Cross-sectional studies, Press releases Environmental health Source Type: research

Does a local financial incentive scheme reduce inequalities in the delivery of clinical care in a socially deprived community? A longitudinal data analysis
Conclusions: Any gaps in achievement between practices were modest but mostly sustained or widened over the duration of the scheme. Given that financial rewards may not reflect the amount of work undertaken by practices serving more deprived patients, future pay-for-performance schemes also need to address fairness of rewards in relation to workload. (Source: BMC Family Practice)
Source: BMC Family Practice - May 14, 2015 Category: Primary Care Authors: Liz GlidewellRobert WestJulia HackettPaul CarderTim DoranRobbie Foy Source Type: research

Acute Care QUAliTy in chronic Kidney disease (ACQUATIK): a prospective cohort study exploring outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease
Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and carries a high risk of morbidity, including hospital admissions and readmissions and mortality. This is largely attributed to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients with CKD are less likely to receive evidence-based treatments for cardiovascular disease. However, these treatments are based on trials which generally exclude patients with CKD. It is therefore unclear whether this patient group derives the same benefits without an increased risk of adverse effects. Methods and analysis The Acute Care QUAliTy in chronic Kidney disease (ACQUATIK) study is a...
Source: BMJ Open - May 3, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Arnold, J. J., Hayer, M., Sharif, A., Begaj, I., Tabriez, M., Bagnall, D., Ray, D., Hoye, C., Nazir, M., Dutton, M., Fifer, L., Kirkham, K., Sims, D., Townend, J. N., Gill, P. S., Dasgupta, I., Cockwell, P., Ferro, C. J. Tags: Open access, General practice / Family practice, Health informatics, Renal medicine, Research methods Protocol Source Type: research

Does the quality and outcomes framework reduce psychiatric admissions in people with serious mental illness? A regression analysis
Conclusions The positive association was contrary to expectation, but there are several possible explanations: better quality primary care may identify unmet need for secondary care; higher QOF achievement may not prevent the need for secondary care; individuals may receive their QOF checks postdischarge rather than prior to admission; individuals with more severe SMI may be more likely to be registered with practices with better QOF performance; and QOF may be a poor measure of the quality of care for people with SMI. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 20, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Gutacker, N., Mason, A. R., Kendrick, T., Goddard, M., Gravelle, H., Gilbody, S., Aylott, L., Wainwright, J., Jacobs, R. Tags: Open access, Health economics, Mental health Research Source Type: research

Pay-for-performance and primary care physicians: lessons from the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework for local incentive schemes
(Source: JRSM)
Source: JRSM - March 19, 2015 Category: UK Health Authors: Gill, P., Foskett-Tharby, R., Hex, N. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Embedding electronic decision-support tools for suspected cancer in primary care: a qualitative study of GPs' experiences.
Abstract Aim The purpose of this evaluation was to obtain views from general practitioners (GPs) who piloted the electronic risk assessment tools (eRATs) for suspected lung or colorectal cancer. We wanted to find out whether GPs were able to integrate these tools into their everyday practice. We were also keen to identify facilitators and barriers to their more widespread use. BACKGROUND: Cancer remains one of UK's biggest health problems, in terms of morbidity and mortality. Comparative European data show that five-year survival figures for many cancers are lower in the United Kingdom than in comp...
Source: Primary Care - March 3, 2015 Category: Primary Care Authors: Dikomitis L, Green T, Macleod U Tags: Prim Health Care Res Dev Source Type: research

Pay-for-performance and primary care physicians: lessons from the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework for local incentive schemes.
PMID: 25792612 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J R Soc Med AND (has...)
Source: J R Soc Med AND (has... - March 1, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Gill P, Foskett-Tharby R, Hex N Tags: J R Soc Med Source Type: research

Inhaler technique - A time to re-educate patients?
Conclusions: Many patients have inadequate inhaler technique. There is a need to review drug delivery devices at every given opportunity to ensure the patient is using the correct drug and device effectively.References:1.The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. National Quality and Outcomes Framework Achievement Data 2008/09, September 20092. Hilton S. Br J Gen Pract. 1990 Dec;40(341):505-6.Main ResultsDevicesInhaler Technique Scoresx2P value 0-2 (inadequate)3 (adequate)4 (good) MDI's 45% (n=54)50%39%11%8.50.03Accuhalers 20% (n=24)50%33%17%7.60.04Handihalers 18% (n=22)36%36%27%2.06NSTurbohaler...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 23, 2014 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Bakalis, M., Morris, E., Ballance, L., Nazareth, D., Fullerton, D. G. Tags: 1.13 Clinical Problems - Other Source Type: research

Have the New GP Contract and NICE guidelines improved the clinical care of people with epilepsy?
Conclusion Despite marked improvements in review rates after the introduction of the New GP Contract five years previously, there are still significant unmet needs in this patient group. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) should consider funding an intermediate tier of care incorporating GPs with a special interest in epilepsy (GPwSIes) and Epilepsy Nurse Specialists (ENS) for PWE to improve and maintain existing and future primary care, as epilepsy is phased out of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). (Source: Seizure)
Source: Seizure - December 7, 2014 Category: Neurology Source Type: research