Patient Outcome Measurement Flashcards
7 cards from real HAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Outcome Measurement flashcards as text
What is a 'minimal clinically important difference' (MCID) in patient outcome measurement?
Answer: The smallest change in a score that patients perceive as meaningful
MCID is the smallest change in a patient-reported outcome score that is perceived as beneficial and would prompt a clinician to consider a change in management.
Which of the following best describes a 'ceiling effect' in an outcome measurement instrument?
Answer: A high proportion of patients scoring at the maximum, limiting ability to detect improvement
A ceiling effect occurs when many patients score at the highest possible value, making it impossible to detect further improvement.
In healthcare analytics, what does 'case mix index' (CMI) represent?
Answer: The average relative weight of all Medicare cases, reflecting patient complexity
CMI is calculated as the average DRG weight for all Medicare patients and reflects the overall clinical complexity and resource needs of a hospital's patients.
Which approach involves gathering outcome data from patients at defined intervals after treatment using standardized electronic surveys?
Answer: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) data collection program
PRO data collection programs systematically capture patient perspectives on symptoms, functioning, and quality of life at scheduled time points post-treatment.
A 'composite outcome measure' in a clinical outcome study combines multiple endpoints primarily to:
Answer: Increase statistical power and capture overall clinical benefit
Composite outcomes increase the event rate, which boosts statistical power and provides a broader picture of overall patient benefit across related clinical endpoints.
When measuring functional status as a patient outcome, which validated instrument is commonly used for activities of daily living (ADL) assessment?
Answer: Barthel Index
The Barthel Index assesses independence in ten ADLs including feeding, bathing, and mobility, making it a widely used functional outcome measure.
Which concept describes the difference between what an outcome measure actually measures and the true underlying construct of interest?
Answer: Measurement error
Measurement error is the discrepancy between an observed score and the true value of the construct being measured, arising from random or systematic sources.