Quality and Outcomes Framework guidance
May 2003 (updated August 2004)
Section 1: Principles
The following principles relating to the Quality and Outcomes Framework were agreed by the negotiators.
- Indicators should, where possible, be based on the best available evidence.
- The number of indicators in each clinical condition should be kept to the minimum number compatible with an accurate assessment of patient care.
- Data should never be collected purely for audit purposes.
- Only data which are useful in patient care should be collected. The basis of the consultation should not be distorted by an over-emphasis on data collection. An appropriate balance has to be struck between excess data collection and inadequate sampling.
- Data should never be collected twice ie data required for audit purposes should be data routinely collected for patient care and obtained from existing practice clinical systems.