"In our efforts to measure outcomes, we must be sure that the needs of individual patients not be ignored," he added.

However, accurately measuring outcomes that can be attributed exclusively to healthcare is very difficult.

With new information systems, we can measure outcomes.

Data Demands Some of the bills go further, requiring plans to measure outcomes.

If systems need improvement, what tools exist to measure performance and outcomes?

By striving to strengthen protocols and measure outcomes, officials say, the initiative should certainly benefit patients.

But she and other medical experts concede that measuring outcomes is significantly harder than estimating demand for their services.

"We're not saying that we're measuring educational outcomes," he explained.

Models are typically used when it is either impossible or impractical to create experimental conditions in which scientists can directly measure outcomes.

Specific programs like one to measure outcomes from heart by-pass operations would be more valuable, he said in an interview.