Standardization of terms and analytic methods for performance evaluation: achievable goal or impossible dream?

Communication about health care management is severely limited by the usage of words borrowed from the diverse professional groups that have contributed to the field. This article suggests development of a glossary of terms to eliminate much of the current confusion in discussions of outcomes, reduce redundancy, and form the basis for interdisciplinary understanding. As a starting point, some major concepts are discussed that warrant further refinement and definition. Also highlighted is the need for standards in describing and evaluating systems designed to measure outcomes of health care, with the goal of enabling consumers to compare these systems meaningfully.