Selecting a Target Outcome
Prior to using the Patient Tally Report tool, agencies should review their outcome reports and select one or two specific target outcomes for OBQI activities. NMMRA recommends that agencies involve several key staff in making this decision. Some agencies form a team consisting of administrative, managerial, and clinical field staff members to evaluate potential target outcomes.

It is important to limit the number of target outcomes selected to one or two (or a maximum of three). This allows in-depth review of the care processes that affected the target outcomes and implementation of outcome enhancement activities within one month. The one-month time frame will maximize the possibility of seeing changes in target outcomes (as a result of outcome enhancement activities) reflected on the next outcome report.

Most agencies may select a target outcome that is unfavorable in comparison to the reference group or prior outcome. Some agencies, however, select a favorable outcome for outcome enhancement activities to identify and reinforce excellent care practices.

As potential target outcomes are evaluated for OBQI enhancement activities, the following selection criteria should be applied:

• First select outcomes that have statistically significant comparisons to either prior outcomes or reference group outcomes (noted by the double or single asterisk). Potential target choices in the absence of statistically significant outcomes may be those with a "signif" calculation no higher than .25.
  
  
• Next select statistically significant outcomes that have a large magnitude of difference (e.g., greater than a 10 percent difference) between current values vs. adjusted prior values or current values and reference values.
  
  
• Select outcomes that were calculated for at least 30 patients.
  
  
• Select outcomes that have particular relevance for your agency's goals or program objectives.
  
  
• Select the outcomes that have clinical significance for your agency.