Maximising Quality & Outcomes Framework

''The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is a system to financially reward general practices for providing quality care to their patients. It is a fundamental part of the GMS contract, introduced in April 2004. QOF is estimated to have saved up to 10,000 lives a year since its introduction - '' - From the Preface Filled with practical guidance and tips, this book explains everything you need to do in order to score ''maximum'' on all the clinical indicators in the QOF. Using tables and lists, it details areas such as setting up a disease register, ensuring that you have an accepted definition of the condition, arranging a practice meeting to discuss registers and motivating team members to use and think about templates as well as cross-checking hospital letters and discharges summaries, conducting a repeat prescription search, actively screening at-risk patients and ensuring an efficient call and recall system. These are the basic rules which apply to any and every clinical indicator. Offering guidance on and insight into the origins of different targets, possible shortfalls, and ways to implement change and improve scores, this easy-to-read book is vital for all general practitioners, GP Commissioners, QOF assessors, and PCT QOF teams. Practice nurses, who are often relied upon to maintain QOF standards, will find the information essential. GP Registrars, medical students, Pharmacists, Health Care Assistants and Practice Managers will also find much of interest.