ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION AND CLINICAL EVOLUTION OF THE PATIENTS
The Foundation has designed a computer program
that follows the evolution of all of the patients who receive
care at the Unit and analyzes their situation.
Basically, the program brings together the following information:
-
Patients' characteristics (age, gender, profession, physical
activity, etc. ) and the characteristics of their disorder
(diagnosis, duration and evolution of pain, degree of
disability or limitation in daily activities, and pain
intensity, measured by previously validated reliable instruments,
results of the physical examination, diagnostic tests
made prior to care at the Unit and the treatments previously
applied).
-
The diagnostic tests and treatments prescribed at the
Kovacs Back Unit and those the patient uses while in treatment.
-
The patient's evolution in terms of pain intensity, limitation
of quality of life, results of physical examination and
daily activity.
The analysis of this information allows the Foundation and
its Units:
-
To appraise the patients' evolution objectively as they
are attended at the Units and to make analyses by sub-groups
in order to determine the factors that affect their prognosis.
This information may suggest new research projects, so
that research and health care complement and reinforce
each other constantly.
-
To evaluate and compare the health care outcomes at each
Unit, adjusting for the possible differences among the
patients.
-
To assure that the medical activity of the Kovacs Back
Units is really suited, in practice, to the protocol that
the Institution defines in terms of the scientific evidence
available at each moment.
Additionally, with the same aim, a random selection of clinical
histories of the patients attended at each Unit is made periodically
and analyzed thoroughly by experts from the Foundation's Medical
Board to ensure the appropriate technical basis of the care
provided.
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