[Quality of care indicators for benign prostatic hyperplasia. A qualitative study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of care indicators for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses for incorporation into health information systems.

DESIGN: Structured expert meeting, using procedures adapted from the nominal group techniques and the Rand consensus method.

SETTING: Valencian School of Health Studies.

PARTICIPANTS AND/OR CONTEXTS: Forty panellists (74% doctors, 70% from primary care settings) with experience in the management of BPH from 15 departments of the Valencia Health Agency.

METHOD: Three workshops were held simultaneously (examination and diagnosis, drug therapy, and appropriateness and results), and the 15 quality indicators selected by the coordination group were assessed.

RESULTS: Eleven of the 15 indicators scored in the range of high relevance. The 5 best rated were: the use of alpha-blockers + 5-alpha reductase inhibitor from certain severity level, digital rectal examination in the initial assessment, follow-up with the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), the rate of urgent catheterization in Hospital Accident & Emergency Units, initial assessment with the IPSS and the use of alpha-blockers prior to catheter removal for acute retention of urine.

CONCLUSIONS: Some of the assessed indicators can be useful for incorporation into health information systems.