In recent years, there has been greater attention paid to the quality of health care. While the U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other nation, it ranks much lower than other countries on several health measures. There is a large and growing body of research that has documented that patients often do not receive proven therapies or preventive measures, and that the rate of preventable medical errors remains unacceptably high.  Studies have also confirmed wide variation in clinical practice in different regions of the country, raising questions about the medical profession's adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines.  Researchers are beginning to understand how providers, patients, and policies can affect the multitude of factors that influence quality. This includes training of health care personnel, improving delivery system processes, and attention to systemic level factors such as technology and medical records. Furthermore, as policymakers and providers adopt measures to control health care costs, ensuring that quality is not compromised is of utmost importance. Specific issues that have gained prominence in the quality field include reduction of preventable medical errors, the impact of nursing shortages, and the role of technology in health care.

This page contains links to key research, policy analysis, and the latest data and statistics on the factors and policies that affect health care quality.