TY - JOUR
T1 - Using Performance Indicators to Improve Performance
AU - Mullen, Penelope
PY - 2004/1/1
Y1 - 2004/1/1
N2 - The recent introduction of performance assessment within the UK NHS, incorporating numerous performance indicators (PIs) and league tables, has led to health care organisations facing large numbers of targets and a star rating system with associated rewards and penalties. However, there is considerable evidence that using PIs for judgement rather than learning provides perverse incentives and can prove counterproductive. Drawing on earlier PI systems which, supplemented by expert systems, were designed to promote learning and exploration particularly by encouraging analysis of interactions between different indicators, a series of 'mini case studies' is presented. These reveal interesting relationships and suggest explanations for variations in performance, areas worth exploring further and possible approaches to improving performance -- approaches not apparent from individual indicators and league tables. It is concluded that presentation of PIs in a format that encourages exploration and analysis could greatly enhance the potential of the current PIs to improve NHS performance.
AB - The recent introduction of performance assessment within the UK NHS, incorporating numerous performance indicators (PIs) and league tables, has led to health care organisations facing large numbers of targets and a star rating system with associated rewards and penalties. However, there is considerable evidence that using PIs for judgement rather than learning provides perverse incentives and can prove counterproductive. Drawing on earlier PI systems which, supplemented by expert systems, were designed to promote learning and exploration particularly by encouraging analysis of interactions between different indicators, a series of 'mini case studies' is presented. These reveal interesting relationships and suggest explanations for variations in performance, areas worth exploring further and possible approaches to improving performance -- approaches not apparent from individual indicators and league tables. It is concluded that presentation of PIs in a format that encourages exploration and analysis could greatly enhance the potential of the current PIs to improve NHS performance.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=8844237668&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1258/0951484042317723
DO - 10.1258/0951484042317723
M3 - Article
C2 - 15527537
SN - 1758-1044
VL - 17
SP - 217
EP - 228
JO - Health Services Management Research
JF - Health Services Management Research
IS - 4
ER -