Quality

Given information and opportunity, consumers can play an important role in improving health care quality and the responsiveness of the health system to their needs. Whether they are making decisions about choosing a health plan, a particular provider, a course of treatment, or how to incorporate healthy choices into their daily lives, empowered and engaged consumers can be a potent force for change.

Medication errors are among the most common preventable medical errors. This Issue Focus article discusses a variety of strategies to reduce medication errors, from relabeling similarly named medications to purchasing and implementing new technologies in institutional settings, and how foundations can facilitate the adoption of these and other strategies.

This GIH Issue Focus examines antibiotic resistance and explores opportunities for health funders.