[Introduction of quality control at a health center: evaluation of health consumers' medical records and the problems found].

OBJECTIVE

To present quality control as an effective and dynamising tool, to analyse the quality of the health consumer's medical records and to detect and set in motion the correction of problems.

DESIGN

Retrospective crossover study.

SETTING

San Martín Health Centre, Vitoria.

PARTICIPANTS

General patients who attended clinics in January, February, March and October. Consumers and the human and material resources of the Centre during 1992.

INTERVENTIONS

Measures to correct faults found.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We analysed a systematic sample of 10% of the records used by the General Practitioners during January and of 5% during February, March and October. We saw an overall improvement in all the sections of consumers' records. The index showing variability of recording between different health providers descended in successive assessments. Twenty-six problems were detected. Through the Coordinator, a solution was set in motion in 100% of them. Of those problems external to the team.

CONCLUSIONS

The early introduction of quality control means that problems can be detected and measures put in place to improve and homogenise quality and to dynamise the Team. The quality of the consumer's medical records, the detection and setting in motion of the correction of problems and the use of simple, practical and possible methodology are key.