Measures That Matter

Rarely do more items get crossed off my “to-do” list than when I need to clean my garage. When the clutter gets out of control and I cannot find the tools I need to do something because I stopped putting things away a month ago, I resolve to get organized and never let the chaos return. Then I will go mow the lawn. After that, I might clean out the car or unload the dishwasher. I might walk my dog or fix the dripping faucet. I am likely to do virtually anything except cleaning the garage.  

We’ve all had that moment where we are marginally productive doing things that could be done while we are avoiding the actual primary thing that needs doing. At the end of a day like I just described, my garage still is not clean. My dog might be happier and there might be forks in the silverware drawer, but I did not accomplish what I intended. 

Metrics can be a lot like that. Last time we talked about tying metrics to your passion. This time, I want to highlight the importance of choosing metrics that make a difference. To be impactful, there must be a direct relationship between what you are measuring and what you want to accomplish. 

It almost seems ridiculous to have to state it, but the first component of an impactful measure is that it must be consistently and reliably measured. Feeling good about getting the garage clean does not result in a clean garage. A patient’s pain may change day to day, but also may be impacted by their personal life or even their perception of their therapist. Subjective feedback is critical, but in terms of measuring improvement, they can be maddening.  

Measures that lead to meaningful change need to relate directly to the goals you want accomplished. If I want the garage cleaned, but I mowed the lawn instead, my house looks nicer in general. I might park my mower in a perfectly perpendicular way, creating more space to walk through. The things I did inarguably made my house look nicer and my garage feel cleaner, but the impact was tangential. It was an accidental improvement because of circumstances more so than intentional effort. 

Finally, the measure needs room to be improved. If my garage is already clean, and I spend two hours making sure my pegboard optimally spaces the way my tools are arranged, it is of some benefit to be sure, but it is not making my garage cleaner. The garage is clean. I need to keep it clean and move on. 

Objective, measurable metrics that directly impact the problem and have room for improvement will be satisfying as opposed to frustrating. They will drive change instead of feeling like you are just spinning your wheels. They will connect to purpose. 

What are your favorite metrics for your patients to see? Does your EMR allow you and your patients to routinely check in on those metrics? If you both cannot see what has been done or what needs to be done, it can be hard to accomplish the goals you both set. Built within are visual indicators that signal documentation items or compliance requirements that need attention—making it easier for everyone involved to see what still needs to be done and why.one and why. We are confident that AgileEMR can meet your clinics’ needs and can help keep your physical therapy practice running as smoothly as possible. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule a demo to see how AgileEMR can help your practice.