title: The importance of measuring quality of care at the end of life.
abstract: Although designed to respond to acute illness, the current health care system must increasingly provide care for people living longer with chronic diseases. Evaluation of the quality of this care must utilize appropriate measurements, study populations, and outcomes. Current quality measures and major studies of quality of care are highlighted. A framework for measuring quality of care is outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine and Allied Health, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Donaldson
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States