NATIONAL QUALITY FORUM GUIDELINES

CONSUMER-FOCUSED PUBLIC REPORTING

The Utah Health Data Committee is committed to following these guidelines when developing reports for consumers in Utah.

For more information, go to the National Quality Forum at http://www.qualityforum.org

Identify the purpose and audiences of the web-based report

Studies suggest consumers who do not use public reports on quality in healthcare are not doing so because they believe the information is too complex and irrelevant. This guideline aims to help the report developer consider information about the consumer such as age, culture and healthcare literacy so information can be presented in a more relevant way.

Use a transparent process that involves stakeholders

This point guides report developers to involve stakeholders such as consumers, healthcare providers and policymakers in defining the scope, format, and goals of the report as well as providing feedback on the language and messages. Stakeholder input at the outset of the project helps ensure the report is relevant and useful.

Set the stage by communicating information about quality

For a public report to be helpful to consumer decision-making, consumers must understand what quality in healthcare means and how to use the report to make information decisions about care. This guideline helps report developers convey the meaning of quality care in context of the report and in ways that are beneficial to the consumer.

Use measures that are transparent and meet widely accepted, rigorous criteria

For a public report to be credible and useful, the data within the report must be reliable and trustworthy. This guideline aims to make sure the measures selected to describe and publicly report performance are widely accepted and go through a rigorous, standardized and transparent evaluation process such as the NQF’s formal consensus development process.

Present and explain the data

A public report should help consumers comprehend healthcare quality information and connect with it in a way that enables them to select the best option for themselves. This guideline aims to help developers of public reports present otherwise complex and unfamiliar information in a way that that is understandable and helpful.

Ensure the report design and navigation enhance usability

The format of the report should provide clear navigation clues and make it easy to locate and print information for later use. Setting clear goals and involving the target audiences in design and testing is important to developing a report that is responsive to audiences.

Evaluate and improve the report

Report developers must regularly review and assess their quality information for relevance, accuracy and consistency. Periodic analysis and review will assure the continued relevance and usability of the public report.