Always better care is a global priority focused on improving health outcomes, enhancing patient safety, and ensuring equitable access to essential medical services. This article explores key strategies for delivering always better care, including patient-centered models, digital health innovations, and quality improvement initiatives, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Foundations of Always Better Care
- Key Strategies for Delivering Always Better Care
- The Role of Digital Health in Achieving Always Better Care
- Overcoming Barriers to Always Better Care
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Comparison of Care Models
- Practical Tips for Improvement
- Final Thoughts on Always Better Care
Key Takeaway: Always better care is the systematic effort to make healthcare safer, more effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. By focusing on quality improvement, leveraging digital tools, and addressing cost barriers, health systems can significantly enhance outcomes for individuals and populations worldwide.
Always Better Care in Context
- 45 percent of the global population does not have full access to essential health services (WHO, 2024)[1].
- Patient safety failures result in an estimated 2.6 million deaths per year in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2024)[3].
- 27 percent of U.S. health care spending is estimated to be wasteful, representing a major opportunity for redirecting resources toward always better care (Health Affairs, 2024)[9].
Understanding the Foundations of Always Better Care
Always better care rests on the principle that health systems must be designed around the needs of people, not institutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines universal health coverage as a core component, emphasizing that everyone should receive the care they need without financial hardship. As Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated in 2025, “Universal health coverage is fundamentally about equity: everyone should be able to receive the care they need, when they need it, without being pushed into poverty.”[1]
Quality is a multidimensional concept. The U.S. Institute of Medicine identifies six aims for improvement: safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity. Achieving always better care means addressing each of these dimensions simultaneously. For example, preventable and treatable causes account for about 60 percent of deaths under age 75 in some OECD countries, demonstrating the potential of better care to reduce premature mortality (OECD, 2024)[7]. This statistic underscores that many deaths are avoidable with improved primary care and preventive services.
The financial burden of poor-quality care is staggering. Globally, out-of-pocket health spending pushes approximately 1.3 billion people further into poverty each year (WHO and World Bank, 2024)[2]. In the United States, an estimated 29 percent of adults skipped needed care in the past year because of costs (The Commonwealth Fund, 2024)[10]. These figures highlight that always better care is not just a clinical goal but an economic and social imperative.
The Moral Imperative of Quality
Donald M. Berwick, former CMS Administrator and President Emeritus of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), articulated the ethical dimension clearly: “Improving care quality is not a technical option; it is a moral obligation. Better care means safer care, more patient-centered care, and care that wastes less so we can do more for those who need it.”[4] This perspective reframes quality improvement from a bureaucratic exercise to a fundamental responsibility of every healthcare professional and organization.
Key Strategies for Delivering Always Better Care
Delivering always better care requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses clinical processes, workforce training, and system design. One of the most effective strategies is the implementation of evidence-based safety practices. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) estimates that adopting such practices in U.S. hospitals could prevent up to 1.2 million adverse events annually (AHRQ, 2025)[5]. These practices include standardized protocols for infection control, medication reconciliation, and fall prevention.
Another critical strategy is reducing diagnostic errors, which affect an estimated 5 to 8 percent of hospitalizations in the United States (AHRQ, 2025)[4]. Improving diagnostic processes involves better training, use of decision-support tools, and fostering a culture where clinicians can openly discuss uncertainties. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, CMS Administrator, noted in 2025, “Better care is not just about more services; it is about delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right setting, and making sure people can actually access it.”[2]
Addressing wasteful spending is also essential. An analysis in Health Affairs found that approximately 27 percent of U.S. health care spending is wasteful, representing up to 760 billion dollars annually that could be redirected to always better care (2024)[9]. Eliminating waste – such as unnecessary tests, administrative complexity, and fraud – frees resources for high-value services. For instance, investing in robust primary care can reduce avoidable hospital admissions, which vary by more than a factor of three between the best- and worst-performing OECD countries (OECD, 2024)[8].
The Role of Digital Health in Achieving Always Better Care
Digital health technologies are powerful enablers of always better care when designed thoughtfully. Telehealth, for example, has seen sustained growth: in 2024, telehealth visits in the United States remained at about four times pre-pandemic levels (HHS, 2024)[6]. This indicates that virtual care has become a permanent fixture for improving access, especially for patients in rural areas or those with mobility challenges.
However, technology alone is not sufficient. Anne Snowdon, Chief Scientific Research Officer at HIMSS, emphasized in 2025, “Digital health can be a powerful enabler of better care, but only when it is designed around the needs of patients and clinicians, integrates into workflows, and reliably improves outcomes.”[5] This means that implementing electronic health records, remote monitoring tools, and AI-driven diagnostics must be accompanied by training and workflow redesign to avoid adding burden to clinicians.
Data analytics also plays a crucial role. By analyzing population health data, health systems can identify high-risk patients and intervene early. Victor J. Dzau, President of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, stated in 2025 that achieving better care requires “redesigning care models around people and communities, supported by data, digital tools, and a workforce prepared for team-based care.”[3] For example, predictive algorithms can flag patients at risk of hospital readmission, enabling care teams to provide targeted follow-up.
Organizations looking to implement these technologies can benefit from reliable infrastructure and connectivity. For those seeking to understand how to build such systems, a guide to network infrastructure for healthcare can provide foundational knowledge on ensuring secure, high-speed data transmission in clinical settings.
Overcoming Barriers to Always Better Care
Despite the clear benefits, significant barriers prevent the widespread adoption of always better care. The most prominent obstacle is cost. Nearly half of the world’s population lacks full access to essential health services (WHO, 2024)[1], and affordability remains a top concern even in wealthy nations. In the U.S., 29 percent of adults report skipping care due to cost (The Commonwealth Fund, 2024)[10]. Addressing this requires policy changes such as expanding insurance coverage, capping out-of-pocket expenses, and investing in preventive care.
Another barrier is the fragmentation of care. When patients see multiple specialists without coordinated communication, the risk of errors and redundant tests increases. Implementing integrated care models – where primary care, specialty care, and social services work together – can mitigate this. For example, avoidable hospital admissions for chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes vary widely between countries, suggesting that better primary care coordination could close this gap (OECD, 2024)[8].
Workforce shortages also hinder progress. Many countries face a shortage of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. Addressing this requires not only training more staff but also using technology to extend their reach. Telehealth, task-shifting to community health workers, and team-based care models can help. Additionally, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement is vital. The WHO estimates that 2.6 million deaths per year in low- and middle-income countries are linked to unsafe care (2024)[3], much of which is preventable through better training and protocols.
Finally, resistance to change can slow adoption. Clinicians may be skeptical of new protocols or technologies if they perceive them as burdensome. Effective change management – including involving frontline staff in design, providing adequate training, and demonstrating tangible benefits – is essential for overcoming this resistance.
Important Questions About Always Better Care
What does always better care mean in healthcare?
Always better care refers to the continuous effort to improve the quality, safety, and equity of health services. It encompasses the six aims of the Institute of Medicine: making care safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. The goal is to ensure that every patient receives the right care at the right time, without experiencing harm or financial hardship. This concept is central to global health initiatives like universal health coverage.
How can technology help achieve always better care?
Technology can significantly contribute to always better care by improving access, efficiency, and accuracy. Telehealth expands access to care for remote patients. Electronic health records reduce errors and improve care coordination. AI and data analytics can identify high-risk patients and support diagnostic decisions. However, technology must be designed around the needs of users and integrated into existing workflows to be effective. As noted by experts, digital tools should reliably improve outcomes without adding burden.
What are the biggest barriers to always better care?
The main barriers include high costs, fragmentation of care, workforce shortages, and resistance to change. Globally, nearly half the population lacks access to essential services, and out-of-pocket costs push billions into poverty. In many countries, care is delivered in silos, leading to duplication and errors. Shortages of doctors and nurses strain systems, while clinicians may resist new protocols. Overcoming these barriers requires policy changes, investment in primary care, better coordination, and effective change management.
Is always better care only about hospitals?
No, always better care applies to all healthcare settings, including primary care, outpatient clinics, home health, and long-term care. In fact, strengthening primary care is one of the most effective ways to improve overall health outcomes and reduce avoidable hospitalizations. Community-based care, preventive services, and patient education are all critical components. The goal is to create a seamless, coordinated system that supports health at every stage of life, not just during hospital stays.
Comparison of Care Models for Always Better Care
Different care models offer varying approaches to achieving always better care. The table below compares four common models based on their focus, strengths, and challenges.
| Model | Focus | Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee-for-Service | Volume of services | Patient choice; physician autonomy | Incentivizes overuse; fragmented care |
| Value-Based Care | Health outcomes per dollar | Rewards quality; reduces waste | Complex measurement; requires data infrastructure |
| Patient-Centered Medical Home | Coordinated primary care | Improves access; reduces admissions | Requires team-based staffing; upfront investment |
| Accountable Care Organization | Population health management | Shared savings; care coordination | Risk of under-service; large-scale data needs |
Each model has trade-offs, and many health systems are moving toward hybrid approaches that combine elements of value-based care with strong primary care foundations.
Practical Tips for Improving Always Better Care
Here are actionable steps that healthcare organizations and individuals can take to promote always better care:
- Invest in primary care: Strengthening primary care reduces avoidable hospitalizations and improves population health. Focus on team-based models that include nurses, pharmacists, and social workers.
- Adopt evidence-based safety protocols: Implement checklists for surgical procedures, medication reconciliation, and infection control. These simple tools can prevent thousands of adverse events.
- Use data to drive improvement: Track key quality metrics such as readmission rates, patient satisfaction scores, and diagnostic error rates. Share this data transparently with staff to foster a culture of continuous learning.
- Leverage telehealth thoughtfully: Use virtual visits for follow-up appointments, chronic disease management, and mental health support. Ensure that technology is user-friendly for both patients and clinicians.
- Engage patients as partners: Involve patients in care decisions, provide clear health literacy materials, and solicit feedback regularly. Patient engagement is a cornerstone of patient-centered care.
- Reduce administrative waste: Streamline billing, prior authorization, and documentation processes. The billions saved can be redirected to direct patient care and quality improvement initiatives.
Final Thoughts on Always Better Care
Always better care is not a destination but an ongoing journey of improvement. By focusing on equity, safety, and patient-centeredness, health systems can reduce preventable deaths, lower costs, and improve the experience of care for millions. The data is clear: the potential for improvement is enormous, from reducing diagnostic errors to cutting wasteful spending. As we move forward, adopting digital tools, strengthening primary care, and fostering a culture of quality will be essential. To learn more about how to implement these strategies in your organization, explore the resources available on Connectivity Products.
Further Reading
- Universal Health Coverage Data. World Health Organization and World Bank.
https://www.who.int/news/item/12-12-2024-world-bank-and-who-new-data-on-universal-health-coverage - WHO Director-General Calls for Renewed Commitment to Universal Health Coverage. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2025-who-director-general-calls-for-renewed-commitment-to-universal-health-coverage - World Patient Safety Day 2024. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/news/item/17-09-2024-world-patient-safety-day-2024 - Diagnostic Safety Report. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
https://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsroom/press-releases/2025/diagnostic-safety-report.html - Patient Safety Awareness. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
https://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsroom/press-releases/2025/patient-safety-awareness.html - Updated Data on Telehealth Utilization 2024. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/updated-data-telehealth-utilization-2024 - Health at a Glance 2024. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
https://www.oecd.org/health/health-at-a-glance-2024-highlights.htm - Reducing Waste in US Health Care. Health Affairs.
https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/reducing-waste-us-health-care-2024 - U.S. Health Care Affordability Survey. The Commonwealth Fund.
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/nov/us-health-care-affordability-survey - CMS Administrator Remarks on Quality and Access. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/remarks-cms-administrator-brookslasure-quality-access-2025
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