2005 Rhode Island Code - § 23-17.17-2 — Definitions.

    (a) "Clinical outcomes" means information about the results of patient care and treatment.

   (b) "Director" means the director of the department of health or his or her duly authorized agent.

   (c) "Health care facility" has the same meaning as contained in the regulations promulgated by the director of health pursuant to chapter 17 of this title.

   (d) "Patient satisfaction" means the degree to which the facility or provider meets or exceeds the patients' expectations as perceived by the patient by focusing on those aspects of care that the patient can judge.

   (e) "Quality of care" means the result or outcome of health care efforts.

   (f) "Risk-adjusted" means the use of statistically valid techniques to account for patient variables that may include, but need not to be limited to, age, chronic disease history, and physiologic data.

   (g) "Performance measure" means a quantitative tool that provides an indication of an organization's performance in relation to a specified process or outcome.

   (h) "Reporting program" means an objective feedback mechanism regarding individual or facility performance that can be used internally to support performance improvement activities and externally to demonstrate accountability to the public and other purchasers, payers, and stakeholders.