cost and quality analysis
Cost and Quality Analysis: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality & Commonwealth Fund
Paul Hamel
Grand Canyon University: NUR 508
Dr. Forester
February 27, 2013
Presently, cost and quality in health care are both indicators that are benchmarked in determining best healthcare practice. Two organizations both work towards meeting these objectives in healthcare, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a public agency and the Commonwealth Fund, a private agency. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was formed under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). This public agency operates by setting up four modules that all contain specific quality indicators that are associated with processes of care in outpatient and inpatient healthcare settings. These indicators are comprised of evidence-based measurable healthcare indicators on quality, cost, use, and access to healthcare (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). Also, the Commonwealth Fund was privately funded in 1918 by Mrs. Ana Harkness in order to "do something for the welfare of mankind (Commonwealth Fund, 2012)." In the past, the fund has helped develop new medical schools with the aim of providing doctors to medically underserved communities. Currently, the organization’s mission is to help the United States achieve a high performance health system. It concentrates its efforts on improving the quality of health care and addressing health care coverage (Commonwealth Fund, 2012). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) focuses on research that improves the quality of health care services, which enables people to make more informed health care decisions (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). One of the areas AHRQ focuses on quality and patient safety is to conduct research that identifies the root causes of threats to patient safety
Paul Hamel
Grand Canyon University: NUR 508
Dr. Forester
February 27, 2013
Presently, cost and quality in health care are both indicators that are benchmarked in determining best healthcare practice. Two organizations both work towards meeting these objectives in healthcare, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a public agency and the Commonwealth Fund, a private agency. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was formed under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). This public agency operates by setting up four modules that all contain specific quality indicators that are associated with processes of care in outpatient and inpatient healthcare settings. These indicators are comprised of evidence-based measurable healthcare indicators on quality, cost, use, and access to healthcare (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). Also, the Commonwealth Fund was privately funded in 1918 by Mrs. Ana Harkness in order to "do something for the welfare of mankind (Commonwealth Fund, 2012)." In the past, the fund has helped develop new medical schools with the aim of providing doctors to medically underserved communities. Currently, the organization’s mission is to help the United States achieve a high performance health system. It concentrates its efforts on improving the quality of health care and addressing health care coverage (Commonwealth Fund, 2012). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) focuses on research that improves the quality of health care services, which enables people to make more informed health care decisions (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). One of the areas AHRQ focuses on quality and patient safety is to conduct research that identifies the root causes of threats to patient safety
References: AHRQ.gov (2012). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at a Glance. Retrieved from: http://www.ahrq.gov/about/ataglance.htm The Commonwealth Fund (2012). Vulnerable Populations. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Topics/Vulnerable-Populations.aspx