Improving community hospital board performance

There has been little focus on improving hospital governance as an approach to controlling costs and improving the quality of care in community hospitals. The author examines assumptions underlying such an approach, describes various proposals, and presents criteria to be used in evaluating them. The author recommends governing board involvement in goal setting and monitoring activities. This requires the development of standards on hospital performance and governing board performance, as well as methodology for external monitoring and external impact on the boards in these respects.