Quality Assurance and Measures
Most people need medical care at some time in their lives. According to the County Health Rankings,
"access to affordable, quality health care is important to physical, social, and mental health. Health
insurance helps individuals and families access needed primary care, specialists, and emergency care,
but does not ensure access on its own—it is also necessary for providers to offer affordable
care, be available to treat patients, and be in relatively close proximity to
patients."1
Access to health care includes not only having health insurance, but also having options for local
care, and a primary source of care. When individuals and families have access to health care they are
able to enter and navigate the health care system, can afford health care services, and their health
needs are adequately addressed.1
"Neighborhoods with low health insurance rates often have fewer providers, hospital beds, and
emergency resources than areas with higher rates," according to the County Health Rankings.
Further, even those that have health insurance can experience difficulties accessing care in these
neighborhoods.2
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designates Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas (HPSA), which are "geographic areas, populations, and facilities that have too few primary care, dental and mental health providers and services." As of January 2019, there were 7,027 primary care, 58,334 dental health, and 5,125 mental health HPSAs in the U.S. In Utah there were a total of 150 HPSAs.3 These areas don't have a sufficient number of health care providers to meet the health needs of their communities.
County Health Rankings states that, "having a usual primary care provider is associated with a higher likelihood of appropriate care, and a usual source of care is associated with better health outcomes." Having a primary care provider is a barrier for those with low incomes and the uninsured. In fact, individuals without health insurance were twice as likely to not have a primary care provider.4
Even for those with health insurance the high cost of health care is still a barrier. A national report on health care quality says that, "in 2009, 17% of people younger than 65 had premium and \ out of pocket costs totaling more than 10% of family income. Those with private, non-group insurance were three times as likely as those with employer-sponsored insurance to face such costs.4
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designates Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas (HPSA), which are "geographic areas, populations, and facilities that have too few primary care, dental and mental health providers and services." As of January 2019, there were 7,027 primary care, 58,334 dental health, and 5,125 mental health HPSAs in the U.S. In Utah there were a total of 150 HPSAs.3 These areas don't have a sufficient number of health care providers to meet the health needs of their communities.
County Health Rankings states that, "having a usual primary care provider is associated with a higher likelihood of appropriate care, and a usual source of care is associated with better health outcomes." Having a primary care provider is a barrier for those with low incomes and the uninsured. In fact, individuals without health insurance were twice as likely to not have a primary care provider.4
Even for those with health insurance the high cost of health care is still a barrier. A national report on health care quality says that, "in 2009, 17% of people younger than 65 had premium and \ out of pocket costs totaling more than 10% of family income. Those with private, non-group insurance were three times as likely as those with employer-sponsored insurance to face such costs.4
2. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). What is the link between having health
insurance and getting adequate health care? Princeton: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF); August
2011. Health policy snapshot.
as cited in
County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Access to Care. Downloaded from
http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approach/health-factors/access-care on 2/10/2015.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Shortage Areas. Accessed 3/8/2019 from https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas.
4. Clancy C, Munier W, Brady J, et al. 2012 National healthcare quality report. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); 2013. as cited in County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Access to Care. Downloaded from http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approach/health-factors/access-care on 2/10/2015.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Shortage Areas. Accessed 3/8/2019 from https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas.
4. Clancy C, Munier W, Brady J, et al. 2012 National healthcare quality report. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); 2013. as cited in County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Access to Care. Downloaded from http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approach/health-factors/access-care on 2/10/2015.
- Cesarean Delivery Among Low Risk Women with No Prior Births
- Cost as a Barrier to Health Care
- Diabetes Hemoglobin A1c Tests
- EMS Response Time
- Healthcare Discrimination
- HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) Measures: Diabetes Care - Hemoglobin A1c (A1C)
- Managed Care (CAHPS) Survey: Experience with Customer Service
- Managed Care (CAHPS) Survey: Patient Rating of Experience with Getting Needed Care
- Managed Care (CAHPS) Survey: Patient Rating of Health Care Experience
- Managed Care (CAHPS) Survey: Patient Ratings of Health Plan Experience
- Severe Maternal Morbidity Among Hospital Deliveries
Cost as a Barrier to Health Care - Adults (BRFSS)
Adequate Prenatal Care (Birth data)
- Percentage With Kotelchuk Prenatal Care=Adequate
- Percentage With Kotelchuk Prenatal Care=AdequatePlus
In-hospital Deaths
- Number of In-hospital Deaths
- Crude Rate for In-hospital Deaths
- Age-adjusted In-hospital Death Rate
- Crude Rate for Injury-related In-hospital Deaths
- Age-adjusted Injury-related In-hospital Death Rate
Emergency Department (ED) Encounters for Primary Care Sensitive Conditions
Prehospital (ambulance) Timing
- Response Time to Scene - Mean
- Response Time to Scene - Median
- Response Time to Scene - Percentile
- Scene Time - Mean
- Scene Time - Median
- Scene Time - Percentile
- Transport Time - Mean
- Transport Time - Median
- Transport Time - Percentile
Discussion With Doctor (BRFSS)
- Discussed Advantages of PSA Testing With Dr (Men 40+) - Crude Rates
- Discussed Advantages of PSA Testing With Dr (Men 40+) - Age-adjusted Rates
- Discussed Disadvantages of PSA Testing With Dr (Men 40+) - Crude Rates
- Discussed Disadvantages of PSA Testing With Dr (Men 40+) - Age-adjusted Rates
Quality Measures Related to Pregnancy (PRAMS)
Quality Measures for Adolescents (YRBS)
National Toxic Substance Incidents
- 2017 Utah Clinic Quality Comparisons
- 2017 Utah Provider Payment Comparison: Hospital Inpatient MS-DRG
- 2017 Utah Office Visit Provider Payment Comparisons: Office Visits
- 2016 Clinic Cost of Care and Quality Comparisons for Clinics with Five or More Service Providers
- 2016 and 2015 Clinic Quality Comparisons for Clinics with Five or More Service Providers
- Utah Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), 2010 - 2017
- UtahHealthScape - This website can be used to find listings of Utah doctors, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and home health care companies. You'll also find information about the quality of care they deliver and what you might expect to pay.