Evaluation of the effectiveness of internal quality control of medical care during control and supervision activities in medical organizations

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, medical organizations of Moscow Healthcare Department have a three-level system of internal control for assessing the quality and safety of medical activities. At the same time, insurance companies have adopted a logically consistent, alternating multi-level system of inspections (medical and economic control) and evaluations (medical and economic evaluation, quality of medical care evaluation). Methods, techniques, criteria and guidelines for external and internal control of the quality and safety of medical activities are different. In this regard, assessment of the effectiveness of internal quality control of medical care in medical organizations during control and supervision activities is an important task that requires an evidence-based decision. Objectives. To provide evidence for the effectiveness of assessment criteria when conducting internal quality control of medical care and to determine their impact on effective performance of medical organizations. Materials and methods. The authors studied the results of 10 inspections and 36 evaluations of regulatory and supervisory authorities (insurance companies, Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor), etc.) and systematized the reasons for applying deductions and penalties. We performed a comparative analysis with evaluation criteria used by the heads of structural divisions (departments, laboratories) of City Clinical Hospital named after brothers Bakhrushin of Moscow Healthcare Department, as well as other private medical organizations. Authors studied technical capabilities of various automated information systems (Megaclinic, Asklepius, Doctor’s Automated Workstation, EMIAS for polyclinics and hospitals, etc.). Results. Authors performed comparative analysis of criteria used in inspections and evaluations of external and internal control of the quality and safety of medical activities. Analysis showed that the currently used assessment criteria do not fully ensure fulfillment of requirements and guidelines, violation of which entails financial sanctions (deductions, fines). Conclusion. It is necessary to develop and implement methods for organizing and conducting internal control of quality and safety of medical activities to create «effective criteria» that will minimize financial sanctions (deductions, fines) applied during various inspections (evaluations) of control and supervisory authorities.