Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) - A collaboration between research and clinical practice

This article provides an overview of the Quality Enhancement Research Initi ative (QUERI), an ambitious attempt to develop a data-driven national quali ty-improvement program for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that is fully integrated within VHA's Strategic Framework for Quality Management, as discussed elsewhere in this supplement. QUERI is designed to ensure the systematic translation of findings and products (quality tools that promote use of research findings) to promote optimal patient outcomes and system-w ide improvements. In developing QUERI, a framework was created to integrate structural elements (organizational characteristics) and process considera tions (those actions and action sequences associated with positive change) with outcomes (both at the patient level and at the systems level). In deve loping this framework, a process for translation of evidence into action wa s born. The QUERI process depends on having or discovering accurate informa tion about what services are needed, who needs them, how they should be pro vided, and relevant outcomes and costs. This article describes the 6-step Q UERI process and presents an overview of relevant programmatic details, inc luding QUERI's rigorous review process, and VHA's unique qualifications for establishing a national model for quality improvement.