Number that corresponds to one of the equal divisions of the range of a variable in a given sample and that characterizes a value of the variable as not exceeded by a specified percentage of all the values in the sample (e.g., a score higher than 97 percent of those attained is said to be in the 97th percentile).

Treatment of a fracture in which the site is neither open nor closed. The fracture is not visualized, so fixation is placed across the fracture site using x-ray. Also called percutaneous treatment.

The act of executing, accomplishing, or carrying out an important function or process by an individual, group, or organization.

Analysis and interpretation of performance measurement data to transform it into useful information for purposes of continuous improvement.

Schemes or plans that examine and seek to achieve enhancement in major areas of clinical and nonclinical services. These plans are usually based on utilization, diagnosis, and outcome information; data from surveys; and grievance and appeals processes. They measure performance at two periods of time to find out if improvement has occurred. These projects are required by the state and can be of the managed care organizations’/prepaid health plans’ (MCOs’/PHPs’) choosing or prescribed by the state.

1. Gauge used to assess the carrying out or execution of a process or function of any organization. 2. Quantitative or qualitative measure of the care and services delivered to enrollees (process) or the end result of that care and services (outcomes). Performance measures can be used to assess other aspects of an individual’s or organization’s performance such as access and availability of care, utilization of care, health plan stability, beneficiary characteristics, and other structural and operational aspects of health care services. Performance measures may include measures calculated by the state from encounter data or another data source, or measures submitted by the managed care organization or prepaid health plan. 3. Information that reveals how well a health plan provides a certain treatment, test, or other health care service to its members. For example, Medicare uses performance measures from National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA’s) Health Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) to get information on how well health plans perform in quality, how easy it is to get care, and members’ satisfaction with the health plan and its doctors.

Quality of care goals that a medical provider is expected to meet such as office hours per week, office visits per month, on-call days, percentage of accounts receivable collected, and surgeries performed per year. Also called performance goals.