Which of the following is NOT considered a metric for outcome of care?

In the context of measuring healthcare outcomes, it is essential to differentiate between metrics that directly reflect clinical outcomes and those that capture patient perceptions. Metrics such as readmission rates, hospital-associated infections, and complication rates are all considered clinical outcome measures. They provide concrete data on the effectiveness and safety of care, reflecting the quality of healthcare services delivered.

On the other hand, patient satisfaction surveys gauge patients' experiences and perceptions regarding their care, rather than direct clinical outcomes. While patient satisfaction is undoubtedly important and reflects an aspect of care quality, it is not a direct measure of the effectiveness of treatment or associated clinical results. Therefore, it is categorized separately from other metrics that measure tangible health outcomes. This distinction highlights the different purposes of various metrics in assessing the overall quality of healthcare.