The Joint Commission categorizes its performance measures into both accountability and non-accountability measures to emphasize an organization’s performance. Accountability measures have to meet four criteria to demonstrate improvement.
The four metrics are:
1. Research — A measure has to demonstrate it improves outcomes through evidence-based care
2. Proximity — The measure must have a direct impact on patient outcomes
3. Accuracy — The measure has to accurately assess that the care process has been provided and that it was provided accurately
4. Adverse effects — The measure should have no adverse effects
If a measure meets all four criteria, it should be used for accountability reasons like accreditation, public reporting or pay-for-performance. Other measures should not be ignored however. Accountability measures can be “useful for quality improvement, exploration and learning within healthcare organizations.”
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