http://www.ahrq.gov/cpi/about/index.

html

CONTENT
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead Federal agency charged
with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system. AHRQ develops the
knowledge, tools, and data needed to improve the health care system and help Americans,
health care professionals, and policymakers make informed health decisions. AHRQ works
within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and with other partners to
make sure that the evidence is understood and used in an effort to achieve the goals of
better care, smarter spending of health care dollars, and healthier people.
In 1999, an Institute of Medicine report, "To Err Is Human," documented serious patient
safety problems in our health care system. In the intervening years, AHRQ has led the
Nation in responding to those issues and improving the safety of health care. Using AHRQ's
research and how-to tools, the U.S. health care system prevented 1.3 million errors, saved
50,000 lives, and avoided $12 billion in wasteful spending from 20102013. But, even with
these successes, safety is far from optimal, and AHRQ's work continues.

CURRENCY
Content last reviewed March 2016

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 427-1364

AUTHORS/SOURCES
Information from AHRQ Web sites should be accessible via screen readers and other accessibility
tools with the exception of some pre-2001 information or links to content resident on Web sites that are
not federal government resources. These materials include special accessibility notices to this effect.
If you need an alternative means of access to any information on AHRQ Web sites, please contact us
through our public inquiries mailbox. Let us know the nature of your accessibility problem, the Web
address of the requested information, and your contact information.
If you need to convert PDF documents, Adobe offers conversion tools at its Accessibility Resource
Center

The HHS Digital Communications Division 508 Program oversees the implementation
of Section 508 at HHS. Visit this site to learn more about the OD's activities and leadership.

The U.S. Access Board's Section 508 Homepage provides information on Section 508
law, frequently asked questions, and standards.

The Section 508 Homepage provides Section 508 tools, resources, standards, and
news.

REFERENCES/DOCUMENTATION
SITE DESIGN AND ORGANIZATION

o
o

Other AHRQ Web Sites

Job Opportunities

Maps & Directions

Other HHS Agencies

AHRQ Profile

Portfolios of Research

Organization & Contacts

Information about AHRQ's organizational structure and contact information.

About AHRQ Offices and Centers

Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets (CDOM)

Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement (CEPI)

Center for Financing, Access and Cost Trends (CFACT)

Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS)

Office of the Director (OD)

Office of Communications (OC)

Office of Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations (OEREP)

Office of Management Services (OMS)