The American College of Mental Health Administration
Accreditation Organization Workgroup

This report reflects the commitment of the American College of Mental Health Administration, and each of the accreditation organizations participating in the Workgroup, to advance the partnership between consumers, purchasers, providers, and others in quality measurement and improvement. Behavioral healthcare is not really a free market enterprise most consumers cannot knowledgeably choose the best provider, and various surrogates (government, managed care companies, families, courts, and primary care physicians) often preempt their ability to choose. We cannot simply say, "let the buyer beware," and trust the market to ensure the best and most efficacious services. Advocacy and organized consumer groups have done much to represent the interests of individuals and families. Hopefully, our work will further advance the ability of consumers to be knowledgeable and active.

We present this work with the belief that efforts towards improving quality and increasing accountability in the behavioral health field will continue. We hope our legacy and contribution will be:

• A clear explanation of the elements of quality assessment.
• A substantial step forward in consensus and convergence on quality measurement within the mental health and substance abuse fields.
• An ongoing relationship between the accrediting organizations that will carry forward into the future.
• An advance in the goals of compassionate care enlightened and empowered by science.
• The availability of information to support consumers in making informed decisions about quality and care.

There is clearly more work yet to be done. We have dealt with the why and what questions about quality measurement. The very difficult challenges in the how remain to be addressed. The technical issues about data, measurement and implementation need to be resolved. Our work is immediately relevant to he world of adult mental health services, but its applicability to children s services and to substance abuse services requires further consideration.