Which of the following is a metric for the outcome of care?

Mortality rates are a critical metric for evaluating the outcome of care because they provide direct insight into the effectiveness and quality of medical interventions. By measuring the number of deaths within a specific population during a certain timeframe, healthcare organizations can assess how well they are meeting their patients' health needs and the overall effectiveness of treatments provided.

This metric is particularly valuable as it reflects the ultimate result of healthcare services. It allows providers to identify trends in patient safety and care quality. Monitoring mortality rates can lead to improved clinical practices, policies, and training aimed at reducing preventable deaths. Thus, it serves as a concrete indicator of healthcare outcomes, making it essential for measuring the quality of care provided to patients.

In contrast, patient surveys capture subjective experiences, waiting times measure operational efficiency, and staff turnover rates can indicate organizational culture or support effectiveness, but none provide the same direct linkage to patient outcomes as mortality rates do.