Public Release of Performance Data

Abstract

Public reporting on the quality of health care in the United States has become the most visible of national efforts to manage quality of health care.¹ Numerous publications including US News & World Report and Consumer Reports now identify annually the "100 best hospitals" or highest quality health plans. The National Committee on Quality Assurance, which is the largest accreditor of health plans, and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, which accredits more than 18,000 health care provider organizations, have both established programs that will incorporate publicly reported performance data as accreditation criteria.