Sources for Information

The Joint Commission (TJC)

The Joint Commission (TJC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides healthcare accreditation and related services to support performance improvement within healthcare organizations. TJC is the nation's primary standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare; it evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 U.S. healthcare organizations and programs.

Health Plan Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS)

The Health Plan Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS) is a set of measures used by more than 90 percent of U.S. health plans to evaluate performance on important dimensions of care and service. HEDIS measures are developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The WCHQ website displays HEDIS results from commercial health maintenance organizations (HMOs). In some cases, health plans may report combined results for commercial HMOs and places of service (POS).

Consumer Assessment of Health Plans (CAHPS)

The Consumer Assessment of Health Plans (CAHPS) is a public-private initiative that develops standardized surveys to evaluate consumer (patient) experiences with healthcare. These surveys cover topics that are important to consumers, like the communication skills of providers and accessibility of care. CAHPS results assist healthcare organizations, public and private purchasers, consumers and researchers to (1) assess the patient-centeredness of care, (2) compare and report on performance and (3) improve the quality of care. The CAHPS program is funded and administered by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), working closely with a consortium of public and private organizations.

The Leapfrog Group

Composed of more than 130 public and private organizations, The Leapfrog Group works with medical experts throughout the U.S. to identify problems and propose solutions it believes will improve hospital systems that could break down and harm patients.

Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR)

Medicare Provider Analysis and Review files contain information on 100% of Medicare beneficiaries using hospital inpatient services.

Wisconsin Bureau of Healthcare Information

The Wisconsin Bureau of Healthcare Information collects and provides to the public information relating to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data about hospitals; hospital discharges; planned outpatient surgeries; and physicians, nurses, and certain other healthcare providers.

Physician Groups and Health Systems

Following a detailed measurement specification developed by staff from WCHQ member organizations and other experts, physician groups are able to collect performance measurement results. Data are then submitted electronically to WCHQ via a secure online data submission tool.