Paul Gitman, MD, MACP

In response to the need to improve care and provide information to patients and regulators, there have been a number of initiatives supported by medical organizations, the government, JCAHO and the Hospital Association to collect and publicly report hospital specific compliance with well established evidence based guidelines for the care of patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and most recently Surgical Site Infections.  These initiatives were established to improve the safety and quality of care and to support performance improvement.  Although the first set of measures, (Core Measures), are only reported as hospital specific, it is likely  that physician specific reporting will not be far behind.  It is important that all physicians understand these measures and evaluate the care of their patients with them in mind.