Variations in Healthcare: Implications for Quality Improvement

April 2004 Variations in Healthcare: Implications for Quality Improvement Two recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) studies indicate shortcomings in health care quality in the United States. New data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance and from research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine and others pinpoint significant variations in medical care and spending. This report will highlight key findings from these studies on the amount and consequences of variation in health care and the implications for quality, and suggest public policy strategies for reducing variation and improving health care . . .