Benchmarking revolves around comparing ones company, business or firms performance/processes in relation to expected industry standards and expectations (Dlugacz, 2006, p. 13). As a matter of fact, it looks at other good practices from different industries. Benchmarking has evolved in recent years to become a common practice for various businesses in the current competitive world.
It should be known that benchmarking is a very complex aspect that needs a good approach for sustainability. This means that there are various dimensions that are looked at to make benchmarking authentic. In this case, it is good to measure cost, time and quality (Boxwell, 1994, p. 17). Because benchmarking has been evolving in recent years, the management is supposed to ensure that they have identified the best performing companies in that particular sector or industry.
Because there are various advancements in the healthcare sector, healthcare organizations are supposed to benchmark for sustainability. This is because the healthcare sector records various developments and advancements that are supposed to be shared by all stakeholders (Dlugacz, 2006, p. 25). Benchmarking has a lot of value to various organizations because it will enable them to identify processes that they share with their competitors.
In this case, such organizations will be in a good position to lean how other companies perform and come up with better ways to enhance their operations. As a matter of fact, benchmarking is done using a specific and agreeable indicator. The value of benchmarking can mostly be seen in vision and mission statements of various companies (Boxwell, 1994, p. 29). In addition, organizations can be able to understand various customer needs and expectations that are supposed to be satisfied. In a broad perspective, benchmarking has popularized the idea of SWOT analysis as time goes by.
Quality measurement is a very important aspect that covers various healthcare organizations (Ransom et al, 2008, p. 11). This is because they deal with distinct and diverse people with different needs. In this case, healthcare organizations are supposed to release their quality measurement data to the public as time goes by. This is based on the expected industry practices and ethics that are supposed to be adhered to.
Therefore, it should be known that there are various benefits and risks that organizations may face while releasing such data to the general public. The benefits of releasing data to the public outweigh the costs that are involved in such activities. In this case, the public will be able to scrutinize the organization well (Phelps, 2002, p. 9). This improves the organizations image to the general public.
When organizations release quality measurement data to the public, they will benefit by having all the healthcare data that they might need to enhance their operations (Ransom et al, 2008, p. 22). Through quality measurement data, the government will be able to understand their needs and give them the necessary support that they may require for long term sustainability. Releasing data to the public guides various useful discussions.
As far as risks are concerned, releasing quality measurement data to the public may discourage people from seeking specific medical attention and services because of the concerns that might be raised. In addition, there are potential liability risks that might be seen as time goes by (Phelps, 2002, p. 17). This is because some information or data is not supposed to be released to the public but there might be some regulation that compels healthcare organizations to release such information. In a broad perspective, this can also lead to privacy problems as far as healthcare provision is concerned.
Reference list
Boxwell, J, R. (1994). Benchmarking for Competitive Advantage. New York: McGraw- Hill.
Dlugacz, D. (2006). Measuring health care: Using quality data for operational, financial and clinical improvement. San Francisco, Ca: Jossey Bass.
Phelps, C, E. (2002). Health Economics. Boston, MA: Addison Wesley.
Ransom, E.R., Joshi, MS., Nash, D.B., & Ransom, S.B. (2008). The healthcare quality book: Vision, strategy, and tools (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.