There are three criteria for evaluating healthcare quality: structure, process, and outcomes. Structure entails stable system characteristics, including resources and tools that it utilizes for healthcare delivery. Since well-organized processes enable good outcomes, the structure is an indirect measure of quality.
A specific way of providing health care is a process, including accurate drug administration, correct diagnostic tests, and interpersonal aspects of communication between a patient and the doctor. The outcome is the most important measure; it implies recovery from disease and health improvement – the main healthcare goals.