There is growing interest in using performance measurement as a means of holding federal, state, and local health agencies accountable for their use of public funds. Health Performance Measurement in the Public Sector is the second of two books for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on using and improving performance measurement in publicly funded health programs and the implications for data needs and systems.

This book focuses on data and information system issues at the federal, state, and local levels. Recommendations address:

• Policy framework for selecting performance measures and using performance measurement.
• Operational principles related to data and data systems that support performance measurement.
• Essential investments in data systems and in training and technical assistance.
• Research needed to improve performance measures and performance measurement.

Contents

• PANEL ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
• COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL STATISTICS 1998–1999
• Preface
• [The National Academies]
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction
  • Origins of the Study
  • Charge to the Panel
  • Essential Definitions
  • Phase I: Focus on Selection of Performance Measures
  • Phase II: Data and Information System Development to Support Performance Measurement
  • Structure of the Report
  • References
• 2. Putting Performance Measurement in Context
  • Use of Performance Measurement in Accountability Systems
  • Examples of Performance Monitoring and Accountability Systems
  • Conclusions
  • References
• 3. Performance Measurement Considerations for Publicly Funded Health Programs
  • Broad Array of Health-Related Services and Service Relationships
  • Measurement Considerations for Population-Based Health Services
  • Some Performance Measurement Considerations Related to Program-Specific Matters
  • Process Guidelines as a Basis for Performance Measurement
  • Conclusions
  • References
• 4. Data and Information Systems: Issues for Performance Measurement
  • Health Data Resources
  • Assuring the Quality of Data and Data Analysis
  • Developing and Implementing Standards for Data and Data Systems
  • Enhancing Performance Measurement Through Advances in Information Technology
  • Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security of Health Data
  • Investing in Health Data and Data Systems
  • Taking A Collaborative Approach to the Development of Health Data and Information Systems
  • Conclusions
  • References
• 5. Strategies for Supporting Performance Measurement Through a National Health Information Network
  • Conclusions Regarding Performance Partnership Agreements
  • A National Information Network for Health-Related Data
  • Essential Features of a Health Information Network to Serve Different Levels of Decision Making
  • Major Policy Actions Needed
  • Operational Principles
  • Required Investment for an Information Network
  • A National Research Agenda
  • Final Observations
  • References
• Appendices
  • Appendix A Potential Health Outcome and Risk Status Measures
  • Appendix B Workshop Agenda
  • Appendix C Biographical Sketches

This study was supported by Contract No. 282-95-0034 between the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Support of the work of the Committee on National Statistics is provided by a consortium of federal agencies through a grant from the National Science Foundation (No. SBR-9709489). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations or agencies that provided support for this project.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.