Application of standard health economic evaluation methods to evaluate quality improvement programmes
| Method | Purpose | Data requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Cost–effectiveness analysis | Comparison of costs and health effects of a quality improvement programme versus usual care | • Utilisation data from other healthcare providers • Long-term health benefits to patients |
| Cost–minimisation analysis | Comparison of the costs of two programmes with identical health benefits | • Same as cost–effectiveness analysis |
| Cost–benefit analysis | Comparison of programme costs and benefits,all expressed in dollars | • Health benefits of programme • Costs of programme |
| Time and motion studies | Real time measurement of changes in resource utilisation as a result of a quality improvement programme | • Measurement of minute to minute activities of personnel affected by quality improvement changes |