University of Texas: MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center functions both as an academic center offering degree qualifications, and as a treatment and research institution. It was established, among three others, as a comprehensive center charged with leading the treatment and research into cancer; as per the National Cancer Act of 1971. The facility is located in the Texas Medical center in Houston, Texas.
The institution, however, has been in existence even before the Act; and has been in existence for over six decades. From its inception in 1944, the facility has catered for over 800,000 patients; who have received a wide range of services including surgery, chemo/radiotherapy; and other treatment in combinations or alone (MDACC, 2009).
The mission
The main focus of the institution is cancer vis-à-vis research on the etiology, treatment, and prevention; this mission is embodied in the mission statement, “Making cancer history”. To achieve this goal, in the last year alone, the facility handled over 12,000 patients on various clinical therapeutic trials on new methods of treating cancer (MDACC, 2009).
Quality indicators
For any healthcare organization, it is of great importance to measure the quality of the services provided. Structure indicators assess the innate ability of the system to cater to patient needs. On the other hand, process indicators assess how the facility handled the patient. Finally, outcome indicators assess how the interaction with the patient influenced their health (Kelley & Hurst, 2006).
For MD Anderson, structure indicators are the facilities available; and the range of treatment available for the patient; including new methods. On the other hand, process indicators are the ability to carry out a wide range of diagnostic tests; and the human resource comprising of over 170,000 employees who offer high-quality professional service. Finally, outcome indicators can be drawn from the large number of cancer patients who are handled by the facility every year; and the large amounts of information generated from research that no doubt improve the overall prognosis for cancer patients.
Reforms Suggested by Health Care Opinion Leaders
Organized Delivery Systems
An organized delivery system has enhanced services; that encompass coordination between the various levels of the healthcare sector through the sharing of patient information. This would reduce the fragmentation in the current healthcare system. Additionally, the efforts of the various medical professionals would be compounded for the benefit of the patient.
Medical homes
A patient-centered medical home is a primary practice that is designed to offer affordable, reliable, and quality care. Such would incorporate technological advances in managing the information of the patient and would have a multi-disciplinary team of medics who would offer optimum care to the patient. More importantly, however, such will share some of the decision-making responsibility with the patient; and would incorporate an aspect of self-care.
Retail clinic
These are health clinics that offer routine services such as diagnoses and treatment. These are located in retail stores and open at convenient hours. The retail clinics also offer prophylactic services such as immunizations; and medical checkups.
The Survey
The14th Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey asked a diverse group of experts on their take regarding the healthcare system. According to the survey, 9 out of ten of opinion leaders were in agreement that urgent changes needed to be instituted vis-à-vis the healthcare delivery system. The 211 healthcare opinion leaders were drawn from various fields ranging from research, healthcare providers, government, the business sectors, and advocacy groups (Shea et al, 2008).
References
Kelley, E. and J. Hurst (2006): Health Care Quality Indicators Project: Conceptual Framework Paper. OECD Health Working Papers, No. 23, OECD Publishing. Web.
Shea K. K., A. Shih, and K. Davis (2008): Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System Data Brief: Health Care Opinion Leaders’ Views on Health Care Delivery System Reform. The Commonwealth Fund. Web.
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Profile (2009). Web.