title: An evidence-based evaluation of quality and efficiency indicators.
abstract: The goal of this study was to identify and appraise quality and efficiency indicators relevant to hospitals or physicians' practices by performing a systematic literature search. Process indicators were limited to 11 diagnoses and treatments. To appraise the indicators identified, a framework for grading health care recommendations was expanded to categorize evidence on cost-effectiveness. Seven indicators of structural quality and 34 indicators of process quality were identified and appraised. The set of performance indicators could serve as a state-of-the-art system of measurement for governments and organizations evaluating the quality and efficiency of health care.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Afschin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gandjour
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kleinschmit
authors.forename: Valerij
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Littmann
authors.forename: Karl Wilhelm
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lauterbach
mesh_terms: D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care