The American health care system is in a crisis. According to a report from the Institute of Medicine entitled, "Crossing the Quality Chasm," health care harms patients too frequently and routinely fails to deliver its potential benefits. In an age of rapid scientific advances and technological complexity, a chasm has developed between the health care we have , and the health care we could have. Therefore, the issue of quality is now at the forefront.

In order to assure osteopathic medicine's position as an emerging leader in health care delivery, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is being proactive in its quest for improvement. We want to heighten the quality of care that osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) provide to patients. We are here to offer the type of health care Americans need and want.

The AOA strives to set the example by being aggressive in our quest to improve medical standards. Our goals for higher standards include:

• Deliver patient-centered care
• Practice evidence-based medicine
• Focus on quality improvement activities
• Use information technology appropriately

AOA Initiatives on Safety and Quality

Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) – The AOA participates in a quality and accountability work group which includes national medical specialty societies and national health plans. The group's charter is to identify opportunities for the AOA, specialty societies and health plans/insurers to improve quality through the adoption of evidence-based guidelines, to increase transparency of information to guide health care decisions and to align incentives to providers.

Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) – is the facility accreditation program of the American Osteopathic Association with deeming authority from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). New standards to be incorporated in the HFAP program include the nationally developed guidelines for office based surgery, updated Medicare Conditions of Participation for Hospitals incorporating Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement, the Clinical Quality Measurement Program (See CQMP below), a new standard on documented verification of the operative site prior to surgery, and the 30 Safe Practices for Better Healthcare by the NQF. (http://www.hfap.org)

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association – The AOA is in ongoing discussions with the BCBSA about the AOA CAP program and is currently exploring opportunities to participate in joint studies.

CIGNA – CIGNA is developing a new tiered, pay-for-performance network model to be tested in several areas. The AOA was asked to comment on the soon to be released plan and to participate in future revisions to the plan.

Clinical Assessment Program (CAP) is a data analysis computer program developed by the American Osteopathic Association. Piloted in 1999, this program measures and compares clinical practice to evidence-based practice guidelines that represent state-of-the-art professional standards of care. Originally designed to measure clinical practice in residency training programs, this program has been extended to the physician office.

United Healthcare – The AOA is in ongoing discussions with United Healthcare about the AOA CAP program and is currently exploring opportunities to participate in joint studies.

Updates regarding the AOA's efforts to improve the quality of patient care will be provided, so visit this page regularly.

¹ Modified from Your guide to choosing quality healthcare. Rockville: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 1998: “Quality health care means doing the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right person - and having the best results possible.”