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Quality & Patient Safety

Achievable benchmark of care (ABC)

A performance target derived from the results of the top-performing providers, representing a realistic yet ambitious standard. ABCs help organizations gauge how much room exists to improve a given quality measure.

What does Achievable benchmark of care (ABC) mean?

An Achievable benchmark of care (ABC) is a performance target derived from the actual results of the best-performing providers on a given quality measure. Rather than setting an abstract ideal, it anchors the goal to a level that a meaningful group of high performers has already demonstrated is attainable.

Because the benchmark reflects real top-tier results, it represents a standard that is ambitious yet grounded in practice. The methodology typically weights the top performers by volume so the benchmark is not skewed by a single provider with very few cases.

Why is the Achievable benchmark of care useful?

The ABC gives organizations a credible reference point for gauging how much improvement is realistically possible on a measure, which helps separate genuine performance gaps from noise. Comparing current results against the benchmark highlights where the largest opportunities to close the gap exist.

In quality improvement and value-based programs, this kind of evidence-based target supports prioritization and goal-setting that staff can take seriously, since it is rooted in what peers have actually achieved. That credibility makes it a practical tool for driving sustained measurement and change.

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