Which of the following is a common clinical outcome measure of quality of health care?

Hospital readmission rates are widely recognized as a critical clinical outcome measure of healthcare quality. This metric reflects the frequency at which patients return to a hospital for treatment within a specified timeframe after discharge. High readmission rates can indicate various underlying issues such as inadequate initial treatment, poor discharge planning, or lack of follow-up care, all of which are relevant to assessing the quality of care provided.

Monitoring readmission rates allows healthcare providers and policymakers to identify areas for improvement. Reducing these rates is often a central goal in healthcare quality improvement efforts, as it can lead to better patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and overall improvements in the care provision process. It highlights the effectiveness of the healthcare system in managing and supporting patients post-discharge, thus serving as a reliable indicator of care quality in a clinical context.