HHS develops National Quality Strategy to improve healthcare

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Healthcare to guide local, state and national efforts to improve the quality of healthcare in the U.S.

The National Quality Strategy will promote quality healthcare that is focused on the needs of patients, families and communities; and to make the system work better for doctors and other providers, according to the HHS. The strategy presents three aims for the healthcare system:
  • Better Care: Improve the overall quality, by making healthcare more patient-centered, reliable, accessible and safe.
  • Healthy People and Communities: Improve the health of the U.S. population by supporting proven interventions to address behavioral, social and environmental determinants of health in addition to delivering higher-quality care.
  • Affordable Care: Reduce the cost of quality healthcare for individuals, families, employers and government.

    The strategy established six priorities to help public and private partners focus their efforts:
    • Make care safer by reducing harm caused in the delivery of care.
    • Ensure that care engages each person and family as partners.
    • Promote the most effective prevention and treatment practices for the leading causes of mortality, starting with cardiovascular disease.
    • Work with communities to promote wide use of best practices to enable healthy living.
    • Make quality care more affordable for individuals, families, employers and governments by developing and spreading new healthcare delivery models.

    The strategy was developed through evidence-based results of the latest research and by a collaborative, transparent process that included input from a range of stakeholders across the healthcare system.

    The National Quality Strategy is designed to be an evolving guide for the nation and HHS will continue to work with stakeholders to create specific quantitative goals and measures for each of these priorities.

    Read the full report here.

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