What is a common use of outcome measures in healthcare?

The use of outcome measures in healthcare is primarily focused on assessing the effectiveness of treatments. Outcome measures provide quantitative data that reflect the changes in health status as a result of medical interventions. This can include metrics such as patient recovery rates, symptom relief, quality of life assessments, and rates of complications or readmissions, among others. By analyzing these measures, healthcare providers can determine which treatments are most beneficial for patients and make more informed decisions about patient care. This process ultimately aims to improve the overall quality of care and patient outcomes.

While establishing laws and regulations, calculating hospital expenses, and analyzing staffing levels are important aspects of healthcare management, they do not directly relate to the core purpose of outcome measures, which centers specifically on evaluating treatment effectiveness and patient health.