Retrospective analysis of temporal trends and variability in patient outcomes within the Belgian hospital landscape

This research falls within the framework of the research chair Zorgnet-Icuro, and is a retrospective analyis of quality and patient safety outcomes in Belgian hospitals

Three objectives have been determined within this research:

1. First, we aimed to uncover the international evidence-base concerning the impact quality improvement initiatives have on patient outcomes.

2. A second objective was to outline the implementation of quality improvement initiatives across Flanders, Belgium, between 2008 and 2019.

In a first sub study, research focused on providing an overview of implementation and gathering perspectives on governmentally-imposed QI initiatives. The initiatives included were those within the Flemish Quality-of-Care Triad (accreditation, inspection and public reporting) and the P4P initiative undertaken by the federal government.

A second sub study focused on the internal initiatives individual Flemish hospitals have undertaken to improve their quality of care.

3. Finally, we aimed to assess trends and variation in several patient outcomes across Belgium between 2008 and 2019.

In a first subsection of this research objective, assessment was made of how patient experiences have evolved over time, how they vary across Flemish hospitals and how they are associated with quality improvement initiatives specifically targeted towards improving the patient’s experience.

The second subsection included research focused on temporal trends and unwarranted variability in mortality, readmissions and length of stay within Belgian hospitals.

The last subsection involved the research of important adverse events occurring during hospital care