When selecting metrics for healthcare measurement, which of the following should be prioritized?

Prioritizing metrics that reflect patient outcomes is fundamental in healthcare measurement because these metrics provide direct insight into the effectiveness of care being delivered. Patient outcomes serve as critical indicators of the quality of care and are ultimately what healthcare providers aim to improve. Focusing on these metrics ensures that the measures are aligned with the goals of enhancing patient health and safety.

By selecting metrics that truly represent patient outcomes, healthcare organizations can identify areas needing improvement, make informed decisions about interventions, and track the real impact of changes over time. This approach encourages accountability and drives quality improvement initiatives that genuinely enhance the patient experience and health results.

While other metrics may offer ease of collection or historical context, they may not necessarily contribute to understanding or improving the quality of care provided to patients. Consequently, prioritizing metrics based on their relevance to patient outcomes establishes a clear value proposition in healthcare measurement efforts.