Data management of a pneumonia screening algorithm in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

The Veterans Affairs External Peer Review Program (EPRP) reviews patient care episodes in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the United States. This review process uses screening algorithms, followed by peer review, to identify deviations in the care provided by the VAMCs. A schematic model of the case selection, data acquisition at each VAMC, data flow between the VAMCs and the West Virginia Medical Institute (WVMI), data processing at WVMI, and the peer review process are given. A model pneumonia clinical practice guideline was generated by an expert panel of physicians external to the VAMCs. This guideline identifies benchmark criteria that reflect the clinical standards for diagnosing and treating hospitalized pneumonia patients. A screening algorithm was then designed, tested, and implemented to identify deviations in the quality of care delivered by VAMCs to hospitalized pneumonia patients.