Performance measurement and improvement in health care.

Performance measurement is playing an increasingly important role in health care systems around the world, and many countries are designing and implementing measurement systems to achieve a range of objectives. Yet, the production of research evidence to inform practice has not kept pace with this policy development. In this paper we employ a simple model of performance measurement that focuses on issues related to the measurement of performance; the analysis and interpretation of performance information; and the action, which occurs as a consequence. The framework is used to analyse the key elements of the performance measurement process, drawing on experience and evidence from the United Kingdom. By drawing on the cross-national experience, individual health systems can learn from examples of good practice and avoid implementation errors made elsewhere.