The study evaluated the impact of guideline implementation at 14 clinics in 1 medical group. The study found fecal occult blood testing rates declined without a corresponding increase in flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Guideline implementation resulted in excellent clinical outcomes and yielded projected savings of 35% from previous practice. The study was published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement in 1996.
The study undertook baseline measurement of care provided prior to guideline implementation and provided the foundation for a follow-up study to evaluate changes in the process and outcomes of care following guideline implementation.
The proportion of hypertensive patients with controlled blood pressure rose from 48.6% to 60.3% after guideline implementation. The study was published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement in 1999.
This guideline had limited and uneven impact on clinical practice, and the outcomes of interest did not seem to be affected by the use of the guideline. The study was published in Quality Management in Health Care in 1998.
The clinical goals of maintaining high quality care and reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics were met in the short term but not over the full course of illness. The study was published in the Journal of Family Practice in 1999.
The study evaluated preventive service rates in 6 primary care clinics from 1 medical group. The study found increased rates of patients up-to-date on preventive services but the rate of services up-to-date was not significantly improved.
Use of the guideline was associated with significantly lower overall costs of care while maintaining or improving functional status outcomes, back care patient education, and patient satisfaction.
The information provided on the ICSI web site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician.
