The imperative of outcomes analysis: an integration of traditional and nontraditional outcomes measures.

The health care industry is compelled to reduce costs while providing high-quality patient care. Outcomes analysis enables monitoring and maintenance of quality of care in our rapidly changing practice environment. Comprehensive outcomes research cannot occur, however, without a database incorporating practice-related data, interventions and components of care, and outcomes of care. The article reports the design and proposed implementation of an outcomes assessment infrastructure in a multifacility health maintenance organization in Northern California. The infrastructure integrates traditionally measured outcomes and cost data with nontraditional, nurse-influenced, health-related outcomes.