Q UALITY, ACCESS, AND COST are
three dimensions of the
health care experience that
will receive increasing
emphasis in the current environment
of health care reform. These
elements are part of the equation
that stakeholders consider as
they describe the value they
expect for the health care they
receive. Hospitals and health systems
that achieve success under
health reform will understand
how their stakeholders perceive
value and become proficient at
delivering care in ways that optimize
performance along the quality-cost-access
continuum. Hos -
pital boards and leaders can also
expect to see quality become a
stronger component in determining
not only how care is organized
and delivered, but how it is
paid for as health care reform
unfolds.