Quality Measures

Organizations measure quality in health care using varying criteria. Evaluating this information can be difficult since not all measures reflect the same information from one report to another. However, it is important to ask questions and look at quality information to ensure you are getting efficient and effective care.

Below you can see how Mayo Clinic ranks in various measures.

Outcomes

This is results-oriented data that contains very important information for patients. But the data is also potentially confusing because many factors can influence outcomes.

• Readmission Rates
• Risk-Adjusted Mortality Rates
• Surgical Care Improvement Project
• Transplant Quality Indicators

Processes

Another way to measure quality involves examining whether a facility follows specific processes, sometimes called evidence-based processes, known to enhance care. Are providers giving the right medication at the right time, giving the right therapies, giving the right consultation, giving the right diagnostic studies — for a specific problem?

• Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction)
• Heart Failure
• Inpatient Pneumonia
• Patient Safety Indicators (AHRQ)
• Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
• Warfarin

Satisfaction and rankings

Another way to assess quality is to ask patients or the public about the service you provide.

• Hospital Consumer Assessment
• Patient Satisfaction
• U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking

Setting goals

Mayo Clinic strives to be in the top tier of performance for all quality measures. Our goals often are set to reach the top 10 percent of performance for particular measures. In other cases, our goals are set to create a significant growth opportunity. We continually strive to improve in all areas of patient care, research and education.