Daman Medical Quality & Performance (MQP) Programme
Daman periodically measures and tracks clinical performance and outcomes through various performance metrics using the adjudicated claims data, where the quantitative parameters are compared to local and international benchmarks. These measures are based on international indicators and are used widely to monitor health outcomes and highlight concerns about medical care based on methodologies in line with industry best practices.
Daman has selected a series of metrics designed to evaluate the performance of health care providers. The metrics include:
- Clinical Metrics, that show the quality of clinical care the provider is administering. There are two categories within the clinical metrics:
- Process Metrics, that show whether evidence-based practices are followed correctly and evaluate whether a specific action was completed
- Outcome Metrics, that present the actual results of care and evaluate how well the provider is helping patients achieve good health
- Financial Metrics, that broadly captures indicators of cost and efficiency of health care provision.
- Structural Metrics, that reflect the conditions in which providers care for patients, and evaluate the capacity of the provider to deliver contracted health services.
Daman collects data on the clinical and financial metrics through claims submitted for patient services. Daman collects the structural metric data by observing the providers’ facilities, behavior, trend, and capabilities. A provider’s performance on applicable metrics will determine whether patients are receiving efficient and quality care.
Daman monitors provider performance on the metrics, and studies their correlation to broader health outcomes, such as patients’ quality of life, long-term health outcomes, and overall cost of care. Daman uses this analysis to refine the selection and weights of metrics and to provide performance feedback to providers.
Metrics Overview
Separate clinical, financial and structural scores are calculated that allow the providers to know their performance in these categories. The Clinical score is a composite score derived from Inpatient, Outpatient and Daycare Clinical scores. Click here to see the full list of the available metrics.
For further clarification, please email us at MQP@damanhealth.ae.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where does provider performance stand today?
We monitor providers' performance through a wide range of clinical, structural, and financial parameters in different care settings. We share and discuss the performance results on a bi-yearly basis. The purpose is to give timely feedback on Quality Improvement areas, thereby supporting the gradual increase of quality in the Abu Dhabi health system. Providers participate in this programme as it provides useful insights to their performance, gives them an opportunity to provide feedback and take suitable action.
2. How are the results of provider performance going to be used?
The emphasis is on making the performance transparent (i.e., the “Evidence-Based”) to providers and help them identify their areas of improvement.
3. How does the provider performance metric cycle look like?
We have a standardized process for Metric Selection, Development, Measurement, Review & maintenance cycle, and the data is refreshed biannually. Addition of new metrics and retirement of the old ones continue to happen throughout the life of the programme based on the current practice and market need.
4. Are the metrics Daman uses sound?
Yes, the metrics are selected from internationally recognized quality assurance systems such as National Committee for Quality Assurance (US), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US), Care Quality Commission (UK) etc. All clinical metrics have been validated by the latest evidence in literature through Advisory Board, Cochrane Reviews. Outcome metrics are risk adjusted using a reliable tested methodology.
5. Where can I find out more about the measure specifications and other important details about the programme?
All details related to measure specifications, risk adjustment methodology, scoring aggregation and other important details are available in the Medical Quality & Performance (MQP) Metric Specification Manual.
6. Our scores look bad as we see really sick patients. How are patients’ factors excluded from this analysis?
Risk adjustment allows for an "apples-to-apples" comparison between providers by adjusting for differences in patient mix. The goal is to isolate provider performance in a metric from other patient risk factors, like age and gender composition of the patient mix.
7. There is lack of clarity of details of the risk adjustment methodology. Is it possible to reproduce the results with the same methodology in-house?
The risk adjustment methodology is detailed in the Medical Quality & Performance (MQP) Metric Specification Manual. Important variables that affect the risk adjusted outcome for any specific metric can be shared on request. However, it will not be possible to recreate exact provider specific results without the results of other providers.
8. How can my physicians be held accountable for patients lack of compliance? Our patient population consists largely out of basic patients and they don’t comply with medication use?
The physician has the responsibility to take the time to educate the patient about his/her medical condition. With proper education, there will be a very few cases in which they will not be compliant. These exceptions would not impact the scoring.
9. Will our results be compared to the same provider type?
We calculate and aggregate scores at the market level. However, our reports provide the ability to view provider performance not only by provider 'Type' but also by 'Cluster' (based on similar facility characteristics).
10. What benchmark is used to see the relative placement of the provider on the scoring scale?
Local benchmarks are used for quartile placement of the providers for comparison with the market and likely peers. They're challenging, but achievable to motivate improvement in certain areas for providers who fall behind in performance and wish to keep up with other providers who are performing well.
International benchmarks are used for comparison purpose only and are not used to rank provider performance. International benchmarks are obtained from clinical data registries, payers such as the CMS MIPS quality benchmarks(www.cms.gov) and accreditors such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance NCQA (www.ncqa.org) and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set HEDIS.
