Strategies
In their efforts to improve quality and system performance, profiled state partnerships tend to employ five broad interrelated strategies:
• Data collection, aggregation, and standardization for performance measurement;
• Public reporting and transparency of quality and/or cost data to drive accountability and improvement;
• Consumer engagement to drive change and encourage care self-management; Provider engagement through evidence-based practice improvement tools and guidelines; and
• Provider engagement through evidence-based practice improvement tools and guidelines; and
• Payment reform and alignment of financial incentives to encourage value-based purchasing.
Although there are many activities occurring in states to improve quality, the initiatives highlighted here are those that are “owned” by the state quality improvement partnership, or those that are conducted by individual partners on behalf of, or in coordination with, the broader partnership, rather than individual partner initiatives.
Strategies by state partnership are summarized below.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
