Quality outcome measures project in IBD: a proof-of-concept benchmarking study in three Belgian IBD units

Introduction: Current treatment modalities in IBD allow us to render normal quality of life to most patients. Ideally, structured digital care pathways can be harmonised in order to measure (semi-) automatically key outcome quality indicators and compare between institutions.

Materials and methods: Key quality criteria were selected through a consensus process and aligned with the ICHOM quality criteria in IBD, including clinical parameters, PROMs, quality of life, health care utilisation and productivity.

Results: Measurements of the 11 selected key quality criteria were integrated in the structured care pathways of three IBD units. All patients received (at least) twice a year three questionnaires (PRO2 or SCCAI, ICHOM criteria and IBD Disk) through the electronic application to collect necessary information ahead of their planned outpatient clinic. In addition, interpretation of biomarkers was automated, and more difficult outcome indicators were manually added by the caregiver during the visit in anticipation of adaptations to or improvements of the electronic record. All information was collected centrally electronically in a structured way allowing benchmarking between the three centres, and stored for future retrospective research.

Conclusion: A (partially) automated benchmarking for measuring quality of care is feasible. It provides an objective assessment of IBD care, enables benchmarking between centres and facilitates quality improvements projects.

Keywords: IBD care pathway, outcome quality indicators, benchmarking.