The benefits of continuous performance measurement.

Performance measurement is fast becoming a way of life for health care providers in this age of increased accountability and outcomes reporting. Health care organizations are well advised to carefully select measures and measurement tools to adequately meet the demands of others in a cost-effective and beneficial manner. A strategic plan and implementation of an effective performance measurement system will help to guide an organization to evaluate key processes and implement changes to improve patient care. In February 1997, the Joint Commission announced new accreditation requirements for hospital and long-term care organizations; these organizations must enroll in an acceptable performance measurement system by the end of 1997 and prepare to submit data to the Joint Commission for at least two clinical measures within the first quarter of 1999.