title: The rigors and rewards of clinical evaluation in an alliance of academic health systems.
abstract: The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), a 70-member alliance of academic health centers, was established in 1984 to help its members improve clinical practice and to strengthen their competitive position in the health care market. This article describes the programs of the UHC's Clinical Practice Advancement Center and its progress to date in promoting strategies to control cost, demonstrate value, and improve health care quality.
authors.affiliation: University HealthSystem Consortium, Oak Brook, IL, USA.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003660:Decision Support Systems, Management; D004465:Economic Competition; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007193:Independent Practice Associations / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009935:Organizational Affiliation; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011243:Preferred Provider Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States