How Registries Can Help Performance Measurement Improve Care

Suggests ways to better utilize databases of clinical information to evaluate care processes and outcomes and improve measurements of healthcare quality and costs, comparative clinical effectiveness research, and medical product safety surveillance

Toward a Standardized Strategy of Clinical Metabolomics for the Advancement of Precision Medicine

Despite the tremendous success, pitfalls have been observed in every step of a clinical metabolomics workflow, which impedes the internal validity of the study. Furthermore, the demand for logistics, instrumentations, and computational resources for metabolic phenotyping studies has far exceeded our expectations. In this conceptual review, we will cover inclusive barriers of a metabolomics-based clinical study and suggest potential solutions in the hope of enhancing study robustness, usability, and transferability. The importance of quality assurance and quality control procedures is discussed, followed by a practical rule containing five phases, including two additional "pre-pre-" and "post-post-" analytical steps. Besides, we will elucidate the potential involvement of machine learning and demonstrate that the need for automated data mining algorithms to improve the quality of future research is undeniable. Consequently, we propose a comprehensive metabolomics framework, along with an appropriate checklist refined from current guidelines and our previously published assessment, in the attempt to accurately translate achievements in metabolomics into clinical and epidemiological research. Furthermore, the integration of multifaceted multi-omics approaches with metabolomics as the pillar member is in urgent need. When combining with other social or nutritional factors, we can gather complete omics profiles for a particular disease. Our discussion reflects the current obstacles and potential solutions toward the progressing trend of utilizing metabolomics in clinical research to create the next-generation healthcare system.11Ysciescopu

Harnessing Health Care Markets for the Public Interest: Insights for U.S. Health Reform From the German and Dutch Multipayer Systems

Outlines how the German and Dutch systems offer universal coverage via competing insurance plans and promote effective and efficient care. Highlights insurance exchanges, multipayer policies and group purchasing, information systems, and public reporting

Organizing for Higher Performance: Case Studies of Organized Delivery Systems

Offers lessons learned from healthcare delivery systems promoting the attributes of an ideal model as defined by the Fund: information continuity, care coordination and transitions, system accountability, teamwork, continuous innovation, and easy access

Addressing the Health Needs of an Aging America: New Opportunities for Evidence-Based Policy Solutions

This report systematically maps research findings to policy proposals intended to improve the health of the elderly. The study identified promising evidence-based policies, like those supporting prevention and care coordination, as well as areas where the research evidence is strong but policy activity is low, such as patient self-management and palliative care. Future work of the Stern Center will focus on these topics as well as long-term care financing, the health care workforce, and the role of family caregivers

\ud Tanzania Health Insurance Regulatory Framework Review\ud

Make sure that current policy objectives – achieving universal coverage, social health protection, good governance and cost-containment – are reflected in the relevant legislative documents, and provide the requisite legal tools, reflecting the chosen policy options and the institutional consequences of those options. Consider reducing the fragmentation of the health financing legislation which reflects the current fragmentation in health financing and in governance and oversight of the health financing and insurance systems. Develop an explicit policy on competition in health financing to close the current gaps in legislation and to prevent the possibly negative side effects for Tanzania citizens of such competition in the event that the Government of Tanzania (GOT) opts for a competition-based model of health financing. The model ultimately chosen will have consequences not only for health financing practise, but also for the relevant legislation. Consider the establishment of an independent accreditation body for external assessment and gradual improvement of the quality of care of all health services providers, regardless of their sources of financing. Plug the identified gaps in single enactments which can be done without embarking on any big policy changes. The latter can be included in the development of a planned National Health Financing Strategy. During this development process, it will be possible to focus on specific areas of interest and make detailed recommendations. After national adoption of the strategy, new legislation will have to be drawn up.\ud \u

Strengthening Primary and Chronic Care: State Innovations to Transform and Link Small Practices

Presents case studies of state policies for reorganizing and improving primary and chronic care delivery among small practices, including leadership and convening, payment incentives, infrastructure support, feedback and monitoring, and certification

Why Not the Best? Results From the National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2008

Assesses the U.S. healthcare system's average performance as measured by thirty-seven indicators of health outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity. Analyzes trends compared to the 2006 scorecard and to international benchmark rates