Dr Foster Unit: What we do
The research of the Dr Foster Unit is a mixture of the short-term and the longer-term, the product-specific and the more ‘blue sky’. Some of the work relates to Dr Foster Intelligence products, such as updating RTM (Real Time Monitoring) risk models and Charlson weights, and will only last one or two months, whereas other projects, such as false alarm rate prediction or new indicator development, are ongoing. Our aim is to make the most out of the considerable amount of data collected routinely by the NHS to determine what the data can and cannot tell us.
Our research themes include:
- Adaptation and validation of patient safety indicators
- Development and validation of indicators of quality of healthcare
- Methodological issues regarding statistical process control and risk adjustment
- Use of information by the NHS for quality improvement
- Work with colleagues in primary care and public health on inequalities and the 2004 GP contract
The unit brings together a mix of skills including computer programming, data management, statistics, epidemiology and public health. Due to our excellent links with other departments at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust we can also draw upon a wealth of clinical expertise, particularly in primary care, surgery and acute medicine.
