Examining the adaptability and validity of interRAI acute care quality indicators in a surgical context

Background: Currently, the use of quality indicators in the surgical setting may be challenged by diverse patient needs, clinical complexity, and health trajectories. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the adaptability of existing quality indicators to a surgical context and propose new time points. Methods: A multi-method approach included an environmental scan of the literature, consultation with multinational experts, and analysis of surgical patient data. Quality indicators from the nurse-administered interRAO Acute Care instrument were examined within a surgical context using secondary data from a hospital in Brisbane, Australia (N = 1006 surgical cases). Results: A lack of relevancy of existing time points can preclude meaningful quality indicator measurement. Definitions of some quality indicators were adapted to ensure relevancy for the surgical population. As well, a surgical baseline (measured preoperative and post-injury) and a 48-h postoperative time point were added to the existing measurement timeline. Conclusion: Distinct measurement timelines were created for elective and non-elective surgical patients. The use of surgery-specific time points that can be embedded into an existing Acute Care measurement framework supports consistent quality indicator reporting. This study represents the first steps towards standardized quality reporting for health information systems across different care settings.