What should be done if appropriate data for health care goals is unavailable?

When appropriate data for health care goals is unavailable, developing the necessary data is the most effective approach. This ensures that decision-making and goal setting are grounded in accurate, relevant information, which is crucial for improving quality and safety in health care. By taking the initiative to gather or create the required data, healthcare organizations can better understand their performance, identify gaps, and implement strategies that align with their objectives.

Creating the necessary data allows for a thorough assessment of health care quality and safety, which is essential in ensuring that interventions are based on reliable evidence. This process may involve collecting new data through surveys, patient feedback, or other evaluation tools, which can lead to more informed and effective health care strategies.

In contrast, ignoring the goals is counterproductive as it leads to a lack of direction in quality improvement. Adjusting goals to fit available data may compromise the integrity of the goals and dilute their significance, preventing organizations from striving for optimal performance. Focusing solely on financial performance disregards the overarching aim of providing high-quality patient care, which should be prioritized alongside financial considerations.