Ten Commandments for Best Health Care System

1. Thou shalt have a primary clinician who will provide a continuous healing relationship.

2. Thou shalt have a health care plan based on your needs and values.

3. Thou shalt be the source of control.

4. Thou shalt have a free flow of information and shared knowledge on a timely basis with your primary clinician.

5. Thou shalt have a treatment or health management supported by Evidence-Based-Medicine.

6. Thou shalt have a primary care provider who can anticipate your need.   

7. Thou shalt anticipate the needs of your clinician and other health care providers.

8. Thou shalt have a primary clinician who has great communication skills with other health care providers, has a relational data based EMR (electronic medical record), and a member of a hospital with CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry) network.

9.  Thou shalt belong to a health care system where waste is continuously reduced.

10. Thou shalt belong to a health oragnization where safety is the primary systems property. This safety system should be transparent so you can understand everything about your care.

Adopted and modified from the IOM (Institute of Medicine) Quality Committee.

Copyright Leonardo Leonidas 2003