In the Women and Infants Center at UAB, ambulatory clinic quality is critically important. We are committed to providing patients and their families with the best care experience possible. That is why we ask our patients to tell us about their total care experience – from the attentiveness of our nursing and physician staff to hand hygiene. We use that feedback to continuously improve every aspect of our care.

We are proud to report positive metrics and feedback in the following key areas:

Ambulatory Clinic Scorecard

Hand Hygiene Compliance

Hand cleansing with soap and water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the simplest and most effective way to prevent infection. UAB OB/GYN providers, staff, patients, and visitors are continuously reminded about the importance of hand hygiene. Clean hands protect everyone – patients, visitors, and staff. UAB ambulatory clinics measure the compliance rates of the nurses, doctors, and staff. Hand hygiene is reported as a percentage of compliance with hand hygiene protocols. A higher percentage is better.

Steps that our doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel in the OB/GYN ambulatory clinics take to promote hand hygiene:

• Cleanse their hands when they enter and when they exit a patient room
• Wear gloves and cleanse their hands after contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces
• Cleanse their hands after removing gloves
• Monitor compliance regularly to identify any opportunities for improvement
• Compliance is measured via anonymous patient surveys after each clinic visit  

Patient Identification

UAB OB/GYN providers and staff use at least two identifiers to accurately identify each patient that is seen. Using two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment, or services is the safest way to prevent errors in all stages of diagnosis and treatment. UAB ambulatory clinics measure provider and staff compliance rates with patient identification which is reported as a percentage of compliance with patient identification protocols. A higher percentage is better.

Steps our doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel in the OB/GYN ambulatory clinics take to promote accurate patient identification:

• Ask the patient for their name and date of birth at check-in to the clinic
• Ask the patient for their name and date of birth before performing a procedure such as collecting a lab specimen or performing an ultrasound
• Monitor compliance regularly to identify any opportunities for improvement 

Endorsed Test Results

Reviewing lab and radiology results in a timely manner is important to the treatment of patient diagnoses. UAB OB/GYN ambulatory providers must sign lab and radiology results within 7 days of receiving the results. UAB ambulatory clinics measure provider endorsed test result (ETR) compliance. ETR are reported as a percentage of compliance with ETR protocols. A higher percentage is better.

Steps our doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel in the OB/GYN ambulatory clinics take to promote timely review of test results:

• Educate providers on the importance of endorsed test results within 7 days
• Monitor compliance regularly to identify any opportunities for improvement 

Patient Satisfaction

Patient satisfaction with their care is an extremely important quality measure of your health care. UAB patients are asked to complete anonymous surveys regarding their satisfaction of care, provider, and experience with the ambulatory clinic. The Department of OBGYN continuously reviews the survey feedback and uses it to make improvements in the care provided. UAB OB/GYN providers work hard to make sure they meet your needs, give you clear instructions, and include you in decisions that impact your health.

Patient Feedback:

Steps our doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel in the OB/GYN ambulatory clinics take to ensure patient satisfaction:

• Ask patients to provide feedback regarding their satisfaction with care after ambulatory visits
• Share survey results with providers and staff regularly
• Monitor survey results regularly to identify any opportunities for improvement