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Washington DL, Danz M, Jackson L, Cordasco KM. Development of Quality Indicators for the Care of Women with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding by Primary Care Providers in the Veterans Health Administration. Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. 2019 Mar 1; 29(2):135-143.
Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects. BACKGROUND: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common women's health complaint. However, the quality of primary care (PC) management of AUB is unknown. Our objective was to develop quality indicators for Veterans Health Administration (VA) PC assessment and management of AUB. METHODS: We drafted candidate indicators based on comprehensive review of the scientific literature, including published consensus guidelines. Then, we convened a national panel of nine experts including PC providers, obstetrician-gynecologists, VA policy stakeholders, and quality measurement experts, and used a modified Delphi panel process. First, panelists individually rated 19 candidate indicators, using 9-point scales, on three metrics: consistency with established guidelines, importance to women's health, and reliability of measurement from VA electronic health records. Panelists then discussed the indicators. Finally, panelists re-rated revised indicators using the same metrics. Indicators were selected if final median ratings were = 7 on each 9-point scale, without dispersion in ratings. RESULTS: Eighteen indicators were selected. Three focused on assessing need for emergency care (e.g., profuse bleeding or pregnancy). Three addressed ascertaining key aspects of the medical history (e.g., endometrial cancer risk). Two addressed performing a physical examination (e.g., pelvic examination). Six addressed indications for diagnostic studies and specialty care referrals, (e.g., transvaginal ultrasound examination). Four addressed initiation of treatment and counseling (e.g., hormone therapy). CONCLUSIONS: We developed quality indicators for PC assessment and management of AUB that span reproductive and postmenopausal life phases. Applying these indicators in VA and other health systems with integrated electronic health records can assess need for, and effects of, AUB quality improvement programs.
