Quality-related activities in federally supported health centers: do they differ by organizational characteristics?

Recent reports suggest the need for further study of the impact of organizational characteristics on quality-related activities in health centers. To better understand these issues, a cross-sectional assessment of quality-related activities in Health Resources and Services Administration-funded health centers was conducted using a mailed questionnaire. Associations between the extent and frequency of quality-related activities and organizational characteristics, including location, size, and accreditation status, were examined. In general, the frequency and type of most quality-related activities did not vary greatly by size and location, but differed by accreditation status. The findings can be explained in part by Health Resources and Services Administration/Bureau of Primary Health Care requirements and implementation of their Accreditation Initiative.