Continuing Quality Assessment Program Improves Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Korea
Tai Joon An, Jun‐Pyo Myong, Yunhee Lee, Sang Ok Kwon, Eun-Kyung Shim, Ji Hyeon Shin, Hyoung Kyu Yoon, Sung Hwan Jeong
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pneumonia, which is the third leading cause of death in South Korea, is continuously increasing with the aging society. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment of South Korea conducted a quality assessment (QA) for improving the outcome of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of hospitalized CAP in South Korea. First to third QA data were gathered into a single database. The national health insurance database was merged with the QA database for analyzing the medical claims data. Comorbidities, pneumonia severity, and pneumonia care appropriateness were calculated using Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), CURB-65, and core assessment of CAP scores (CAP scores), respectively. RESULTS: < 0.001) improved. CONCLUSION: Continuing QA program is effective in improving the clinical outcomes of hospitalized CAP.