The American Health Data Institute (AHDI) has a mission to transform healthcare data into actionable intelligence so employers, coalitions, providers, payors, consumers and others can purchase high quality cost effective healthcare. Experts acknowledge that rising healthcare costs remain with us today in part due to the continued wide variations in efficiency and quality of care rendered by all types of providers. The information presented in this guide is a collection of evidence identifying the problems and possible solutions for improving the quality of healthcare.