A Simple Tool Using AM-PAC “6-Clicks” to Measure Value Added in Acute Care Physical Therapy: The Therapy Value Quotient.
Brian L. Hull, D.P.T.
Hull, B. L. and M. C. Thut (2018). “A Simple Tool Using AM-PAC “6-Clicks” to Measure Value Added in Acute Care Physical Therapy: The Therapy Value Quotient.” Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy 9(4): 155-162.
Background and Purpose: Acute physical therapy practitioners and leaders continue to search for a practical method to measure value. The purpose of this case report is to introduce the Therapy Value Quotient and its simple yet effective use of Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Inpatient Mobility Short Form, also known as “6-Clicks,” and common payroll data to measure changes in value added to patient care. Case Description: Health care service value should be measured by outcomes produced divided by the cost of services to produce those outcomes. Although acute physical therapy practice continues to progress toward consistent outcome measurement, widespread application of outcomes to quantify value is rare. This lack of value measurement leaves acute care practitioners’ value measured primarily in terms of how many units or visits a therapist can code in a certain number of hours worked. Unfortunately, quantities of units or visits are not synonymous with value. Acute care managers and practitioners need a viable and easy-to-use tool that requires minimal data entry and uses existing, easily accessible payroll and electronic health record data. Outcomes: The goal of this project was to create a value calculation with commonly used systems (payroll, electronic health record) data and Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Inpatient Mobility Short Form data to quantify value. Minimizing manual data entry decreases errors and improves real-time calculations. The purposely minimized design of the equation allows clinicians and managers freedom to create highest-value processes that achieve the maximal value added. Discussion: The Therapy Value Quotient can help managers and clinicians investigate and measure value-adding tactics while improving care delivery and efficiency instead of simply increasing the number of procedures per hour worked.
