AHRQ Eyes Quality Improvement Project

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has requested that the Office of Management and Budget approve funding for a new information collecting project aimed at bolstering efficiency and value in hospitals and medical offices. According to Monday's Federal Register, AHRQ has estimated a three-year cost of just over $1 million for its project, "Pilot Test of the Proposed Value and Efficiency Surveys and Communicating About Value Checklists."   

Officials say the project will involve developing a value and efficiency survey for healthcare organizations as a quality improvement measure. The surveys will be based on previous models that have been successful in improving healthcare quality and patient safety. "These surveys will measure staff perceptions about what is important in their organization and what attitudes and behaviors related to value and efficiency are supported, rewarded and expected," the notice reads...