Why is quality measurement of health care so important?
Experience has shown that measurement and public reporting foster improvements in individual practice and the systems that are needed to support better quality. While physicians, nurses, clinics and hospitals work to deliver high-quality care, they need sufficient information to help them identify areas to target for their quality improvement efforts. In order for consumers and purchasers to get better care at a lower cost, they too need and want useful information. Information on the quality and cost of health care will empower consumers to make informed decisions about their health care. Therefore, it is imperative that the information patients, consumers and their families receive is accurate, clear and relevant to them. What has been achieved with quality measurement at a national level? There have been a number of significant advances in the effort to improve health care quality. The National Quality Forum (NQF), in conjunction with the state and federal governments, sets national
