Planetree Designation: Measuring Quality of Care

As more and more government agencies are discovering the importance of patient-centered care, they're starting to develop measurement tools. We're a step ahead in the patient-centered care movement, thanks to our involvement with Planetree - the first independent organization to systematically quantify patient-centered care.

Howie Morales, Planetree Director of Gila Regional explains the decision to become a Planetree affiliate in 2003 with the goal to be a Planetree Designated Hospital. "Patient-centered care is the right thing to do because it recognizes patients as essential partners in their own health care, empowers them with information, promotes patient and provider communication, and encourages the involvement of family and friends. Joining Planetree was an opportunity to formalize this commitment."

Institute of Medicine

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a landmark publication in 2001 that identified six dimensions of quality care, one of which was patient-centered care. Specifically, the IOM says health care services need to be safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. According to the publication, facilities that achieve major gains in these six areas are far better at meeting patients' needs.

Joint Commission

The Joint Commission recognizes hospitals that have earned the formal Patient-Centered Hospital Designation. The designation is listed on the Joint Commission's Quality Check web site in the special quality awards section of the hospital's profile. (www.qualitycheck.org)