Table 2.
General structure of an indicator
| Element | Description | Source of information |
|---|---|---|
| a. Title |
Brief statement of what is to be assessed |
Research team |
| b. Type of Indicator |
• Process indicator |
Clinical recommendation based on SR |
| • Specific indicator of general or medical condition | ||
| • Indicator of desirable or undesirable events | ||
| • Indicator based on proportions or means | ||
| c. Definitions |
1. Clinical recommendation (PICO format): Clinical situation, population, intervention, comparison and main outcomes |
Clinical recommendation based on SR, ICD-9-CM |
| • Operational definition of clinical terms in the research question | ||
| • Definition of contraindications to treatment (if necessary) | ||
| • Description of the diagnostic and procedure codes ICD-9-CM for the identification of the population | ||
| d. Target population |
Definition of the target population |
Clinical recommendation based on SR |
| e. Rationale |
• Impact of the clinical condition of interest |
SR, CPG |
| • Brief description of the selected SR | ||
| • Summary of the main benefits and/or harms associated with the intervention | ||
| • Support of the recommendation by main clinical practice guidelines (CPG) | ||
| f. Supporting literature |
Main bibliography that supports the indicator (SR and CPG) |
SR, CPG |
| g. Description of indicator population |
Operational definition of the indicator (formula) |
Clinical recommendation based on SR, clinical experts |
| • Numerator / denominator | ||
| • Exclusion criteria | ||
| h. Sources of information |
Description of the sources of information to compute the indicator: |
Clinical experts |
| • Administrative databases (mainly from inpatient and surgical area) | ||
| • Clinical documentation (medical history) | ||
| • Other (survey, etc.) | ||
| i. Standard |
Definition of the standard: |
Clinical recommendation based on SR |
| • Desirable event (↑) | ||
| • Undesirable event (↓) | ||
| j. Underlying factors |
• Factors related to the target population |
SR, CPG, Clinical experts |
| • Factors related to professionals | ||
| • Factors related to the hospital | ||
| k. Notes |
Other aspects that complement the information summarized by the indicator. |
Clinical experts |
| l. Desired characteristics of a hospital to ensure the viability of the indicator |
• Essential features (associated with the identification of the denominator and the numerator) |
Clinical experts |
| • Desirable features (associated with an acceptable time investment to measure it) |