Developing quality indicators for genitourinary medicine services with patient and public involvement: an audit of performance against proposed local measures

Abstract

Local service quality indicators (SQIs) for both genitourinary (GU) medicine and HIV were drawn up using patient and public involvement (PPI). Our clinic's performance was audited against these SQIs. All measures were achieved, almost achieved or probably achieved. SQIs need to be challenging yet achievable and it is difficult to judge precisely where standards should be set. This paper provides a first estimate for our service after PPI. We hope other services may wish to audit performance against these SQIs. If such data were to be pooled, there would be valuable evidence for setting ‘SMART’ (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based) SQIs that are challenging yet achievable for the majority of clinics. If the bar were to be set correctly, the actual performance of clinics ought generally to lie just above or just below the set standard.