Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
What is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality?
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a U.S. government agency that funds research on healthcare quality, safety, and outcomes. AHRQ also provides resources and tools to help healthcare providers improve their quality of care.
The agency was established in 1999 as part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). AHRQ's budget is appropriated by Congress each year. The agency's work is carried out by a staff of scientists and other professionals who conduct and support research on healthcare quality, safety, and outcomes.
AHRQ also funds training programs for healthcare providers on how to improve the quality of care they deliver. In addition, the agency provides information and tools to help consumers make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Why is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality important to healthcare?
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provides evidence-based research on a variety of healthcare topics. This research is then used to help improve the quality of healthcare services. The AHRQ sponsors training programs for healthcare professionals, so that they can learn how to put evidence-based research into practice.
The AHRQ funds grants for health services research, too. These grants are used to support studies that examine the efficacy of quality improvement measures.