The quality encounter between purchasers and providers: what to ask and how to answer.
It is not easy to lay prejudices aside, to find and face the facts, and to let the chips fall where they may. There is no need to wait for improvements in technology before beginning to use outcomes monitoring to guide the business exchange between purchasers and providers. Although future technological improvements will greatly improve the capacity to use objective data to differentiate among providers and to identify strengths and weaknesses within a health care organization, reasonable methods are available today to undertake these important tasks. All that is needed is the courage and willingness to embrace them. The future belongs to purchaser and provider organizations that are willing to seek enlightenment rather than blame.
Michael Pine and Associates, Chicago, IL.
M
M
Pine
D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000592:standards; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States