Quality Metrics

SAMHSA’s quality portfolio is intended to advance the public health of the Nation by identifying and promoting the use of core and supplemental behavioral health indicators for tracking and reporting the delivery and outcomes of behavioral health care and health care in general. SAMHSA seeks to offer recommendations for use by payers (both Federal and private), facilities and providers, and at the community or individual level.

National Behavioral Health Quality Framework (NBHQF)

In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) charged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with developing a National Quality Strategy (NQS), the purpose of which is to better meet the promise of providing all Americans with access to health care that is safe, effective, and affordable. In March 2011, the Secretary of HHS reported to Congress on a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care. Using the NQS as a model, SAMHSA has developed the National Behavioral Health Quality Framework (NBHQF).
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Behavioral Health Barometers

The Behavioral Health Barometers are a series of state and national reports that provide a snapshot of the state of behavioral health in the United States.
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Meaningful Use

SAMHSA has a Measures Workgroup that is charged with identifying a core set of SAMHSA measures that can adequately tell the story of SAMHSA programs and activities to prevent and treat behavioral health issues.
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National Quality Strategy

A national strategy that will improve the delivery of health care services, patient health outcomes, and population health.
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Health Information Technology

Health information technology (HIT) is the management of health information across computerized systems. It involves the secure exchange of health and other personal information between consumers and patients, providers and practitioners, and other entities, such as government agencies and insurance companies. It also encompasses the use of electronic assessment and monitoring tools that support SAMHSA’s efforts to gather behavioral health data and evaluate services.
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National Quality Forum (NQF)

SAMHSA works with non-profit organizations such as the NQF, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and other groups to improve the quality of health care in America.
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National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA)

The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Since its founding in 1990, NCQA has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system, helping to elevate the issue of health care quality to the top of the national agenda.
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