The Washington state quality forum is established within the authority. In collaboration with the Puget Sound health alliance and other local organizations, the forum shall:

     (1) Collect and disseminate research regarding health care quality, evidence-based medicine, and patient safety to promote best practices, in collaboration with the technology assessment program and the prescription drug program;

     (2) Coordinate the collection of health care quality data among state health care purchasing agencies;

     (3) Adopt a set of measures to evaluate and compare health care cost and quality and provider performance;

     (4) Identify and disseminate information regarding variations in clinical practice patterns across the state; and

     (5) Produce an annual quality report detailing clinical practice patterns for purchasers, providers, insurers, and policymakers. The agencies shall report to the legislature by September 1, 2007.

[2007 c 259 § 9.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- Subheadings not law -- 2007 c 259: See notes following RCW 41.05.033.