title: That pioneer spirit: implementing clinical episodes of care in an imperfect world.
abstract: Managing care in integrated settings requires new frames of reference for assessing the cost and quality of care delivered. One approach, tracking episodes of care, has been discussed for decades, but it's been stymied by insufficient data. Now, the authors argue, the time has come for providers to develop episode-based protocols and outcomes measures that compensate for data liabilities.
authors.affiliation: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brailer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hackett
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003625:Data Collection; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D017050:Episode of Care; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States