Models for Achieving the Best Health System in the World
<p>While most evidence indicates the U.S. health system cannot be considered "the best in the world," both within the U.S. and abroad there are many useful and inspiring roadmaps to improvement. In a <a href="/cnlib/pub/enews_clickthrough.htm?enews_item_id=26306&return_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecmwf%2Eorg%2Faboutus%2Faboutus%5Fshow%2Ehtm%3Fdoc%5Fid%3D444193%26%23doc444193">new column</a>, Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis presents case studies demonstrating how seven key strategies for a high-performance health system can be put into practice.<br><br>For example, Davis points to Fund grantee Eric Coleman's development of the "Care Transitions Intervention," which improves patient care following discharge from the hospital, as an example of "pursuing excellence in the provision of safe, effective, and efficient care." And the Puget Sound Health Alliance, a Washington-based nonprofit that aims to improve care and continuity by developing guidelines and decision-making tools, reflects "encouraging leadership and collaboration among public and private stakeholders."<br><br>As Davis writes, "In 2007, the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, and Commonwealth Fund staff and grantees, will continue examining these and other solutions available to a nation with our exceptional resources and capacity."</p>
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletters/ealerts/2007/jan/models-for-achieving-the-best-health-system-in-the-world