Letter from the Editor

This issue of RAND Health Quarterly focuses on health care delivery, quality, and patient safety. A team led by Eric Schneider designed, developed, and tested a prototype of the Health Care Safety Hotline, a consumer reporting system for patient safety events. Robert Rudin and colleagues reviewed innovative uses for analytics and health information technology to coordinate care for complex patients. Allen Fremont and other RAND researchers share the innovative approach of the Be There San Diego Data for Quality Group, in which competing San Diego health care organizations share quality-of-care performance data and lessons learned.

In health promotion and disease prevention, a RAND team created the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index, which ranks countries by their vulnerability level. Joie Acosta led a team that interviewed stakeholders on the development of the framework for the Culture of Health initiative.

In mental health, Rajeev Ramchand led an evaluation of suicide prevention hotlines in California. Joshua Breslau and others made recommendations on the evaluation design of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Program. In health policy and health economics, a team analyzed options for the California Division of Workers' Compensation's drug formulary.

This is my last issue as editor: Lisa Meredith will be succeeding me, and I would like to welcome her to the RAND Health Quarterly team.

Andrew W. Mulcahy, Ph.D., M.P.P., (Outgoing) Editor