Unlocking the potential of value-based health care by defining global standard sets of outcome measures that matter to patients with cardiovascular diseases

As health systems around the world increasingly look to record and improve the value of care that they provide to patients, being able to measure the outcomes that matter most to patients is vital. Clinicians today gather more data than ever before, but what is measured often has little relationship to the results of care that matter most to patients. Through its working groups of global experts in particular diseases, the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement aims to define minimum Standard Sets of outcomes, along with case-mix factors to support risk adjustment and meaningful comparison. These Standard Sets may then be implemented globally empowering patients to select providers with the best outcomes at the lowest cost, empowering providers that deliver superior outcomes at competitive costs to excel, and empowering payers to negotiate contracts based on results. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement has published 24 Standard Sets including coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, and stroke and is nearing the completion of its work in atrial fibrillation.