Measuring Equity for Quality Improvement

Nina Menda; Erika Edwards

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2023.01.010

Measuring Equity for Quality Improvement

Clin Perinatol. 2023 Jun;50(2):531-543. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2023.01.010. Epub 2023 Mar 21.

Authors

Nina Menda¹, Erika Edwards²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, 202 South Park Street, McConnell Hall, 4th Floor, Madison, WI 53715, USA. Electronic address: menda@wisc.edu.
² Vermont Oxford Network, Burlington, VT 05401, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Robert Larner, MD, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.

PMID: 37201995
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2023.01.010

Abstract

Applying an equity lens to quality improvement (QI) by collecting, reviewing, and using data that measure health disparities helps identify whether QI interventions improve outcomes evenly and equally across the population or have a greater impact in an advantaged or disadvantaged group. Methodological issues inherent in measuring disparities include appropriately selecting data sources; ensuring reliability and validity of equity data; choosing a suitable comparison group; and understanding between-group variation. The integration and utilization of QI techniques to promote equity is dependent on meaningful measurement to develop targeted interventions and provide a means of ongoing real-time assessment.

Keywords: Disparities; Equity; Measurement; NICU; Quality improvement.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Quality Improvement*
Reproducibility of Results