A Look at the National Quality Strategy

The Affordable Care Act requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care (the National Quality Strategy).  Released in March, 2011, this plan sets priorities to guide this effort. 

The goal of the National Quality Strategy is to promote quality healthcare in which the needs of patients, families, and communities guide the actions of all those who deliver and pay for care.  Designed to evolve over time, the National Quality Strategy provides guidance for efforts to measure and improve health and healthcare quality.

The strategy will pursue three broad aims useful in guiding and assessing local, state and national efforts to improve the quality of healthcare. The six priorities are based on:

• latest research,
• input from a broad range of stakeholders, and
• examples from around the country.

These priorities have great potential for rapidly improving health outcomes and increasing the effectiveness of care for all populations.

To achieve broad support with minimal impact, stakeholders, who can carry out the plan, can help develop this strategic plan. Implementation planning is underway, and a mechanism has been put in place to obtain  additional private sector input on specific goals, benchmarks and quality metrics in 2011.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is tasked with supporting and coordinating the implementation planning and further development and updating of the strategy.  More than 300 groups, organizations and individuals representing all sectors of the healthcare industry, and the general public has provided input into the strategy.

The National Quality Strategy will be refined over time, based on lessons learned in the public and private sectors, emerging best practices, new research findings and the changing needs. Stakeholders will work to create specific quantitative goals and measures for each of these priorities.  Updates on the strategy and the nation’s progress in meeting the three aims of better care, improved health, and more affordable quality care will be delivered annually to Congress and the American people.

Source: Report to Congress. March 2011. National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care.