From Pay for Performance to Collaborative Quality Initiatives: Quality Care and Implications for the Limb Salvage Center

Abstract

Management of chronic wounds, specifically those of the lower extremity, varies considerably by geographic region. The consequences of low-quality care perpetuate poor outcomes and low value for patients and the health care system. The emergence of value-based health care has forced stakeholders to evaluate care from quality and cost perspectives. This review presents a replicable quality assessment model for limb salvage specialists to apply to their practices. This model will foster increased collaboration between caregivers across all disciplines in an effort to increase quality care assurances for patients with chronic wounds of the lower extremity. Current approaches to quality assessment in the management of such wounds are outlined, and areas for innovation, such as collaborative initiatives, are highlighted. Use of the Donabedian model to provide quality and value to patients undergoing treatment for chronic wounds at a tertiary limb salvage center is also described. A value-based care system can be comprehensively assessed using the Donabedian framework. A pay-for-performance approach has largely guided health care reform in the United States; however, the effects of this approach have been incongruent with its intent. Limb salvage centers work to rectify this imbalance and continually evaluate quality measures to improve care. Collaborative quality initiatives have resulted in improved outcomes and cost savings in multiple specialties, and multidisciplinary limb salvage centers may benefit from such infrastructure. Limb salvage specialists have an important role in determining whether health care quality improvements are internally or externally driven. Existing quality assessment tools are imperfect, and the consequences of low-quality care of chronic wounds can be devastating. Through collaboration across institutions and the use of validated quality assessment tools such as the Donabedian model, chronic wound specialists can be leaders in developing and implementing quality care measures.