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Measuring Health Care: a Reflection

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Measuring Health Care: A Reflection

The past few decades have seen a growing interest in the use of healthcare measures to monitor and evaluate health system quality and performance. A measure is a summary statistic used to give an indication of a process that cannot be measured directly. For example, the quality of care a patient receives is difficult to measure directly, however, we can measure particular processes (such as adherence to protocols) or outcomes related to quality of care. The use of quality data has led to improvements in operations, finances, and clinical outcomes. This discussion will center on a few topics that are vital to health care measures and system quality and performance. The foundation of measures and reasons for their use will be discussed in great detail. We must understand the reason for using measures in health care and their relationship to providers, policy makers, and administrators. Another topic that is vital to the discussion of measures is the use of data to improve organizational processes and thus the outcome of improvements. Although healthcare institutions do not generally make use of quality data and measurements to improve their profit margins, there are many ways they can utilize such measures to enhance their organizational performances. Finally, the discussion will come full circle to show how solidifying the relationship between quality standards and operational and financial efficiencies will lead benefits in long-term strategic planning.
Why are measures used? Who do they benefit? How do they relate to health care professionals and patients? These are all questions that must be answered before changes can be implemented. Measures encourage leaders, administrators and policy makers to understand variables in clinical care. They open dialogue between the various people involved in health care. When assessed and

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