Michael Greenberg

In September 2002, RAND contracted with the U. S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to serve as the evaluation center for its national patient safety initiative. This report assesses the context and goals that were the foundation for the initiative, documents the baseline status of the activities being undertaken, and identifies priorities the researchers believe will have the strongest positive impact on the future of AHRQ's patient safety initiative.

Assesses the value of 24-hour care--an insurance plan that consolidates employers' health care benefits for work-related and non-work-related claims--as a mechanism for reducing workers' compensation costs. 450-character abstract: Proponents of a type of insurance program called 24-hour care--which would consolidate employers' health care benefits, and possibly disability benefits, for both work-related and non-work-related claims--believe that it could yield substantial workers' compensation savings for California. In this monograph, the authors present their assessment of the value of 24-hour care as a mechanism for reducing workers' compensation costs and discuss possible options for 24-hour-care model programs.

What role can the Army play in protecting the United States from terrorist attacks? Although responding to terrorist attacks and other domestic emergencies is primarily a civilian responsibility, the U. S. Army has a role in filling gaps in civilian capability. Should the Army adopt a hedging strategy to meet the risks of future terrorist attacks and other emergencies? The authors of this report lay out five possible shortfalls in Army capability and suggest five responses the Army can begin today, concluding that the nation needs to decide whether to bear the costs today in order to hedge against future risks.

This report examines issues surrounding the establishment of a national patient outcomes database that would be used by patients and providers to make more informed treatment decisions. It focuses on prostate cancer and surgery for osteoarthritis.