March 17, 2026- Health systems that achieve the highest quality performance also deliver the strongest financial results, according to new analysis from Vizient® in collaboration with its intelligence arm Sg2. The findings are discussed further in the article “Quality is healthcare’s most underestimated financial lever.”
The analysis of organizations participating in Vizient’s Quality and Accountability (Q&A) Study found a strong correlation between top-tier quality performance and improved operating margins, lower risk-adjusted direct costs and stronger commercial reimbursement. Organizations ranked in the top quintile of the Q&A Scorecard reported average operating margins of 6.3%, compared to negative margins among lower-performing peers.
The analysis draws on data from more than 1,000 hospitals participating in the Vizient Clinical Data Base (CDB) and Medicare cost reports. Each year, Vizient recognizes top-performing organizations who participate in the CDB through the Q&A Study. This financial analysis was conducted separately and examines how those quality rankings correlate with broader measures of financial performance.
Read the article, “Quality is healthcare’s most underestimated financial lever,” which explores the findings in more detail.
Read the press release here.