Variable life adjustment display or VLAD is a type of indicator used to measure healthcare quality and patient outcomes. The statistical tool predicts the likelihood of a patient outcome, and then plots the difference between the predicted and actual outcome.
The VLAD technique ‘signals’ when further investigation of performance is warranted. Hospital staff can then investigate performance using The Pyramid Model of Investigation. This structured investigation approach assists staff to identify reasons for variations in clinical outcomes.
Queensland was the first jurisdiction in Australia to use the VLAD methodology to aid in the monitoring of the quality of the services we provided. Selected private hospitals were also provided with VLADs for certain indicators.
The VLAD clinical indicators were developed in association with clinical expert groups and are regularly reviewed. A number of medical, mental health, obstetrics and gynaecology and surgical indicators are monitored in Queensland.
Because the data that is used to construct the variable life adjustment display is updated monthly, potential problems or improved performance are detected in a timely manner.
- Patient Safety Health Service Directive and Guidelines
- Technical details
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Variable life adjustment displays are a type of statistical process control chart. The VLAD incorporates a logistic regression model to predict the likelihood of the outcome for each patient. The VLAD then plots the difference between predicted and actual outcome. Upper and lower control limits are used to enable flagging when the cumulative outcome varies from state average at pre-defined levels.
VLAD CM, a joint venture between Opus 5K and Patient Safety Unit, facilitates the dissemination, monitoring, investigation and reporting of VLADs across Queensland.
- Resources
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- How control limits are worked out (PDF, 22KB)
- Opus 5K Website
- Latest VLAD Indicator Definitions (PDF, 2.10MB)
- Publications
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- Coory M, Duckett S, Sketcher-Baker K, 'Using control charts to monitor quality of hospital care with administrative data', International Journal for Quality in Health Care 2007:1-9
- Duckett SJ, Coory M and Sketcher-Baker, K (2007) Identifying variations in quality of care in Queensland Hospitals, Medical Journal of Australia, (187) p 571-5
- Lezzoni L, 1997, 'Assessing quality using administrative data', Annals Internal Medicine, vol 127, pp 666-674.
- Mohammed M A, Rathbone A, Myers P, Patel D, Onions H, Stevens A, 2004, 'An investigation into general practitioners associated with high patient mortality flagged up through the Shipman inquiry: retrospective analysis of routine data', British Medical Journal, vol 328, pp 1474-7.
- Sherlaw-Johnson, C (2005) 'A method for detecting runs of good and bad clinical outcomes on variable life-adjusted display (VLAD) charts' Health Care Management Science (8) 61-5.
- Woodall W, 2006, 'The use of control charts in health-care and public-health surveillance', Journal of Quality Technology, vol 38, pp 89-104
- Indicator reviews
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Indicator reviews are an ongoing iterative process of statistical and clinical debate and discussion. Each indicator is rigorously evaluated for clinical significance, definition clarity and responsive potential. Following completion of an indicator suite review, the VLAD Indicator Review Working Group releases a Statement of Activity that includes the results of the review:
- Report on the Obstetrics Indicator Review Summary of Activity February 2014 (PDF, 331KB)
- Report on the Orthopaedic VLAD Indicator Review Summary of Activity November 2012 (PDF, 381KB)
- Report on the Acute Myocardial Infarction VLAD Indicator Review Summary of Activity November 2012 (PDF, 395KB)
- Report on the Stroke VLAD Indicator Review: Summary of Activities - August 2012 (PDF, 258KB)
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Indicator Review - February 2012 (to be released 27 June 2012) (PDF, 397KB)
- Heart Failure Indicator Review - February 2012 (to be released 27 June 2012) (PDF, 343KB)
- Paediatric Tonsillectomy and Adeniodectomy Indicator Review - October 2010 (PDF, 189KB)
- Maternity Indicator Review - Oct 2009 (PDF, 194KB)
- Feedback
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The Systems Team welcomes feedback on the clinical relevance of VLAD indicators. Please provide feedback at VLAD_Queries@health.qld.gov.au
