Quality of Care in the Cirrhotic Patient

Abstract

Cirrhosis is a common, complex, chronic condition requiring care by multiple specialists in different locations. Emerging data demonstrates limitations in the quality of care these patients receive-in large part due to the problems with care coordination rather than failures of individual providers. This article will discuss approaches for measuring quality, and provide a step-by-step guide for developing quality improvement programs for this patient population.

Figure 1

Many patients with cirrhosis fail to receive evidence-based treatments.^{, , ,} Abx, antibiotics; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; SBP, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Figure 2

Patient knowledge about disease self-management, before and after a structured educational intervention. Knowledge improved significantly across all domains (P<0.001). Reprinted with permission from Volk et al.

Figure 3

A practical guide to improving quality in clinical practice.