How do balancing metrics support health system improvement?

Balancing metrics are essential in health system improvement because they allow organizations to evaluate the interconnectedness of various performance areas. By measuring the trade-offs between different improvement efforts, balancing metrics help identify whether progress in one area might negatively affect another. For instance, if a health system prioritizes financial performance over patient care, the quality of care may decline, ultimately harming patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Through the use of balancing metrics, healthcare leaders can make informed decisions about resource allocation and strategic planning. This holistic view encourages improvements across multiple dimensions, such as patient safety, clinical effectiveness, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction, ensuring that gains in one area do not come at the expense of another. By adopting this comprehensive approach, health systems can achieve true overall improvement rather than isolated successes that could undermine other critical areas.