Resources
PA Regional Resources
Philly Health Info (www.phillyhealthinfo.org)
A comprehensive directory of health services, events and information for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative (www.prhi.org)
An independent catalyst for improving healthcare safety and quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania. It operates on the premise that dramatic quality improvement is the best cost-containment strategy for health care.
Healthy York County Coalition (www.healthyyork.org)
The Healthy York County Coalition is an ongoing citizen effort to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in York County. Funded by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant they established a Community Checkup website which shows how doctors and patients are doing in key areas to maintain good control over diabetes and coronary artery disease (www.aligning4healthpa.org).
Health Care Improvement Foundation (www.hcifonline.org)
The Health Care Improvement Foundation (HCIF) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to building partnerships for better health care in Southeastern Pennsylvania. With a multi-dimensional focus on health care safety — in patient care, environmental practices, and disaster preparedness — HCIF brings together diverse organizations to achieve regional collaboration and improvement.
Philadelphia Department of Health (www.phila.gov)
Get up–to–date news and information on Philadelphia health topics such as emergency numbers, health center locations, and various programs.
PA State Resources
Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (www.phc4.org)
An independent state agency responsible for addressing the problem of escalating health costs, ensuring the quality of health care, and increasing access for all citizens regardless of ability to pay.
Quality Insights of Pennsylvania (www.qipa.org/pa/)
An affiliate of the West Virginia Medical Institute, which is a non-profit, physician-sponsored organization dedicated to the mission of “improving the health of the people we serve.”
Patient Safety Authority (www.psa.state.pa.us)
The Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency charged with taking steps to reduce and eliminate medical errors by identifying problems and recommending solutions that promote patient safety in hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, birthing centers and certain abortion facilities.
Pennsylvania Department of Health (www.dsf.health.state.pa.us)
The PA Department of Health offers free resources and information on:
- Health topics from A to Z.
- Family health programs to maintain and improve the health of pregnant women, infants, children and their families through education and health promotion, food benefits and improved access to quality health care to meet the needs of families and provide services and benefits in a timely manner.
- Information and tips on healthy behaviors such as nutrition and activity.
- Healthcare resources concerning managed care, nursing homes, health care facilities and local health centers.
- Emergency preparedness tips and facts.
Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform (www.ohcr.state.pa.us)
The Office of Health Care Reform and the Governor’s Health Care Reform Cabinet were established by executive order by Governor Edward G. Rendell in January 2003 with the goal of improving accessibility, affordability and quality of health and long-term living services in Pennsylvania. Since then, the Office has worked with the Cabinet and key stakeholders to create the Prescription for Pennsylvania — a comprehensive plan to restructure the Commonwealth’s health care system. The Prescription for Pennsylvania was unveiled by Governor Rendell in January 2006.
Resources for Bordering States
My Health Finder (www.myhealthfinder.com)
New York
State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (web.doh.state.nj.us)
New Jersey
The Maryland Health Care Commission (mhcc.maryland.gov)
Maryland
Quality Insights of Delaware (www.qide.org)
Delaware
Quality Insights of West Virginia (www.qiwv.org)
West Virginia
Ohio Hospital Quality (www.ohiohospitalquality.com)
Ohio
National Resources
Why Not the Best? (www.whynotthebest.org)
Maintained by the Commonwealth Fund, this site contains valuable performance information on nearly all U.S. hospitals, as well as case studies and research into health care improvement methods.
Hospital Quality Alliance (www.hospitalqualityalliance.org)
A public–private collaboration that develops and researches hospital quality measures and methods, with the goal of improving the quality of care given throughout the country.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (www.rwjf.org)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supplies private researchers with grants and other support with the purpose of improving the health, as well as the health care, of everyone in America.
Commonwealth Fund (www.commonwealthfund.org)
A private foundation that promotes a high performance health care system by supporting independent research studies with grants and other means.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (www.cms.hhs.gov)
The website for Medicare, Medicaid, and other government health care programs, featuring general information as well as case studies and statistics.
Joint Commission (www.jointcommision.org)
An organization that accredits health care facilities that meet specified performance and quality measurements.
Medline Plus (www.medlineplus.gov)
A large database of health topics including extensive drug information, medical encyclopedias and much more.
WebMD (www.webmd.com)
A user friendly website with vast information on medical conditions and their treatments, as well as a comprehensive symptom checker.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
The CDC website contains information on health topics such as obesity, infectious diseases, healthy living, and much more.
Ambulatory Quality Alliance (www.aqaalliance.org)
A voluntary collaboration of physicians, health plans, and consumers in which members strive to improve patient safety and quality health care practices.
For More Information
*PHCQA does not control third-party web sites and is not responsible for the contents of any linked-to, third-party web sites or any hyperlink in a linked-to website. PHCQA does not endorse, recommend, or approve any third-party website hyperlinked from the website. PHCQA will have no liability to any entity for the content or use of the content available through such hyperlink.
