Commonwealth Fund Releases Chartbook on Quality of Health Care
The Commonwealth Fund last Friday released a chartbook providing the "first-of-its-kind portrait of the state of health care quality" in the United States. The book, which is based on more than 150 published studies and reports and contains 54 charts with accompanying analysis, highlights "serious gaps" in many quality measures. The chartbook is organized in six chapters -- effectiveness, patient safety, access and timeliness, focus on the patient, disparities in health care and capacity to improve -- as recommended by guidelines from the President's Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in Health Care and the Institute of Medicine. It also makes recommendations on how to improve the quality of health care in the country. "Quality will not improve by itself. In fact, the task will be even more challenging in the future because of the increasing complexity of care, with new tests, procedures and treatments, including drugs. In addition, the aging U.S. population will use more health care services," President Karen Davis said, adding, "Health care leaders and policymakers need to develop policies and processes that support quality improvement. This report provides a starting point for action" (Commonwealth Fund release, 5/10). To order a copy of the chartbook, go to www.cmwf.org or call 1-888-777-2744.
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.