PATIENT-CARE OUTCOMES - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MILITARY HEALTH-SERVICESSYSTEM

Policy makers are targeting patient outcomes and the effectiveness of interventions as possible ways to curb spiraling health care costs. Qu ality assurance/improvement programs are focusing on patient outcomes as a way to evaluate and improve care delivery. Consequently, members of the Military Health Services System need a solid understanding of t he current emphasis on the outcomes of care to be knowledgeable partic ipants in the health care changes precipitated by highlighting patient outcomes.