A voluntary performance evaluation of a regional paediatric HIV centre using quality dashboard markers

Abstract

Background: Since the survival of HIV infected children has significantlyimproved HIV has become a chronic condition. Our regional centre has asubstantial cohort of patients with HIV and we have undertaken a voluntary survey to evaluate our own service.

Aim: To establish a baseline quality survey of our Paediatric HIV service usingrelevant markers of published quality dashboard

Methods: Markers from the East Midlands Paediatric HIV Quality Dashboardand the CHIVA Standards were selected. All children attending a RegionalPaediatric HIV Centre for at least 1 year were included. The survey was undertaken by a retrospective note and Patient Administration System (PAS) review.

Results: All 97 eligible patients were included.

Conclusion: This service evaluation provided a useful exercise inunderstanding mechanism of our service delivery, both current and past.Caution has to be exercised with the interpretation when applying currentquality markers on previous practice.In future such an evaluation is best performed prospectively directly into asuitable database.It was noted that some markers are not suitable to measure service quality, eg Annual DNA rate or undetectable VL at one time point. Valid markers should therefore be worked out in conjunction with commissioners, clinicians and especially service users.