UC Center for Health Quality and Innovation

How do you improve patient care and keep a tight rein on costs?

The University of California set out to tackle that challenge in 2010 when it launched the Center for Health Quality and Innovation (CHQI).

The center is designed to promote, support and nurture innovations at UC medical center campuses and hospitals to improve quality, access and value in the delivery of health care. The center’s goal is to support innovations at the UC health campuses that can transform the way the health needs of Californians are addressed and therefore advance the health of California and beyond.

The center has awarded more than 50 grants totaling $15 million, formed systemwide collaboratives and developed partnerships to improve patient outcomes. The result: better patient outcomes and a more than doubling of its return on investment through projects that have either reduced costs, increased revenue or attracted additional grant funding.

The center is staffed by an executive director and governed by a board composed of the six UC medical school deans, five UC medical center CEOs and chaired by the UC Health executive vice president. Center projects take place at UC campuses with a small coordinating staff based at the UC Office of the President in Oakland.