quality reports : Clinical Quality : Medical Group Performance


Quality Insights: Clinical Quality in Primary Care

Adult Diagnostic and Preventive Care:
Spirometry Test for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Healthcare quality measure: This measure looks at the percent of patients (age 40 and older) who have had a spirometry test to confirm the diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This tests a person’s breathing. It measures the amount of air people breathe in and how fast they blow it out. Doctors should give a spirometry test to patients who might have COPD.

Reasons for this measure: COPD is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease develops slowly and gets worse over time. COPD includes chronic (long-term) bronchitis, emphysema, and other breathing problems. A person can have COPD without showing any symptoms.

COPD can affect how people function each day. When COPD is severe, people may find it very hard to walk, cook, or even care for themselves. Here are some more facts to know:

  • More than 12 million people are diagnosed with COPD. Another 12 million people have COPD but do not know it.
  • COPD is a major cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
  • In 2007, COPD costs totaled about $42.6 billion. This includes costs for direct care (such as doctor visits, medications, screening tests, treatments, etc.) as well as indirect costs (such as disability payments for people unable to work due to their COPD symptoms).

Click on a column heading to put the results below in order.
Medical Group
Comparison
Rate
Rating
Benchmarks:
   Nat'l Average
   90th Percentile
   MA Rate		 National Average
National 90th Percentile
MA Rate
37.6%
47.6%
40.2%		  
Atrius Health, Inc., Harvard Vanguard Kenmore
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43.5%

 above two benchmarksabove two benchmarksabove two benchmarksabove two benchmarks

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MA Rate (40.2%)

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Explanation of the Star Ratings...

  • above three benchmarksabove three benchmarksabove three benchmarksabove three benchmarks Four stars means the rate is above three benchmarks
  • above two benchmarksabove two benchmarksabove two benchmarksabove two benchmarks Three stars means the rate is above two benchmarks
  • above one benchmarkabove one benchmarkabove one benchmarkabove one benchmark Two stars means the rate is above one benchmark
  • not above benchmarksnot above benchmarksnot above benchmarksnot above benchmarks One star means the rate is not above benchmarks
  • no data available MHQP has too little data to report on this measure. This can happen when the patients or illnesses a medical group cares for are not part of this report.

The three benchmarks used for comparison are:

  • The MHQP Massachusetts Statewide Rate
  • The National 90th Percentile
  • The National Average

Click here to view the MHQP Massachusetts Statewide Rates
and National benchmarks.

For more information on benchmarks, please see Questions & Answers.

Ways your doctor can help...

  • Give you a spirometry test. This is to find out whether you have COPD. If you do have COPD, this test shows how severe your breathing problems are.
  • Treat and manage your COPD. Your doctor will prescribe medication and other treatments to help you breathe better, stay active, and avoid more serious health problems.
  • Suggest flu and pneumonia shots. People with COPD can get very sick, or even die, from the flu or pneumonia. These shots can help keep you from getting these illnesses.
  • If you smoke, your doctor will talk about ways to quit. Your doctor can tell you about programs and products to help you quit.

Ways you can help...

  • If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. If you smoke, talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.
  • Follow your treatments for COPD as the doctor prescribes. These treatments can help you breathe better, stay more active, and avoid or manage severe symptoms.
  • Talk with your doctor about getting flu and pneumonia shots. These diseases are very serious for people with COPD. Shots help lower your chance of getting flu and pneumonia.
  • Manage COPD symptoms and help slow its progress. Try to avoid lung irritants (such as being near smoke). Work with your doctor to manage COPD and its symptoms. Know what to do in an emergency or when your COPD symptoms get worse.
    • [Adapted from “What is COPD,” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH. 2008]

Ways to learn more...

 

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