Definition of Clinical, Satisfaction, and Cost Outcomes

Outcome Synthesis
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5. Definition of Clinical, Satisfaction, and Cost Outcomes
The clinical outcome to be measured is medication adherence. In this case, adherence is the extent to which the African American hypertensive male will take antihypertensives as prescribed by the caregiver at Tri-City clinic. Nonetheless, it is imperative to realize that adherence encompasses other behaviors that extend beyond the pharmaceuticals prescribed by the caregiver (Kaplan & Victor, 2009). This outcome is important as it determines the disease progression and prognosis. It is clear that effectiveness of antihypertensives will only be realized if the patients follow the treatment regimen in a reasonably close manner (Kaplan & Victor, 2009).
Two satisfaction outcomes will be measured. These include patient and staff satisfaction (Kleinpell, 2013). The patient satisfaction is an imperative variable that defines the likelihood of a successful treatment plan. Increased patient satisfaction influences on adherence to the antihypertensive regimen. Patient satisfaction measure will be applied to African American males being managed for hypertension at the Tri-City clinic. Caregiver satisfaction is imperative as it boosts the morale and confidence; hence has a direct influence on the management of the patient. The satisfaction levels of the caregivers at the Tri-City clinic will be measured in this respect.
On the cost outcome, the estimated hospital charges saved in treating hypertensive patients will be measured (Muennig, 2008). US dollars will be the denomination employed in measurement of outcome. In addition, the cost per patient visit will also be measured. This will apply to only the African American males being treated for hypertension. Improvement in medication adherence will lead to a decreased cost to both the clinic and patient. This is because disease complications, which are costly to treat, will be avoided (Muennig, 2008).
6. Methods of Measuring Clinical, Satisfaction, and Cost Outcomes
A questionnaire will be used to assess medication adherence. The questionnaire will be issued to the African American males being treated for hypertension at the Tri-City clinic. The questionnaire will include no/yes questions and five-point Likert scales. A scoring system will then be devised so as to grade adherence into low, medium and high adherence. The internal validity and consistency of the questionnaire will be ensured using statistical values. Nonetheless, it is imperative to note that self-reported measurements are prone to respondent bias (Kleinpell, 2013). The measurement for medication adherence will be carried before, and three months after implementation of the proposed change.
Treatment satisfaction questionnaires will be used to assess the satisfaction levels of patients and the staff at the Tri-City clinic. The patient's treatment satisfaction questionnaire will measure four domains: side effects, effectiveness, convenience and global satisfaction levels (Kleinpell, 2013). A scoring system will also be utilized to grade satisfaction into a percentage. Staff satisfaction of the intervention will be assessed by one domain: global satisfaction level. It is imperative to utilize a treatment satisfaction questionnaire that is psychometrically robust and validated. The internal validity and consistency of the questionnaire will be ensured. The global satisfaction levels will assess the overall satisfaction or dissatisfaction of hypertension regimen. The patients that report their medication to be laden with side effects, ineffective and very inconvenient are less likely to be adhering to the prescribed regimen (Kleinpell, 2013).
Health records will be utilized in measuring the cost outcomes (Muennig, 2008). The estimated charges incurred by the hospital in treating hypertension will be obtained before the project. The charges will then be measured from the records 3 months after implementation of the project. In addition, the cost per hypertensive patient's visit will be assessed from the health records before and three months after project implementation. This will also be assessed before the project, and after implementation of the mobile phone application. In addition, the cost per patient measure will apply for hypertensive emergency cost per patient. It is essential to discern the cost-effectiveness of the mobile phone application, owing to the fact that Tri-City clinic is a non-profit care center, and that a significant number of these target patients lack insurance.
7. Implications of Outcomes for Quality Management
The recent restructuring of the national health care system has seen the increased need for detailed information on outcome measurements and quality of care within the US (Kelly, 2006). In turn, managed care health delivery systems have evolved in a profound manner. There have been increasing pressures to halt the escalating burden of diseases, such as hypertension, on the economic sector (Wyszewianski, 2008). Improvement in patients' medication adherence will result in decreased cost and burden of disease. This falls in line with the US stakeholders' expectations, including patients, payers and health care organizations (Wyszewianski, 2008). Quality management may be defined as a patient's experience designed to assist the providers, patients and payers make more rational medical care-related choices (Kell...