A project of the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems

INTRODUCTION / HISTORY
PURPOSE OF THE BENCHMARKING INITIATIVE
The 2000 pilot survey described in this report is a project of the 
“Benchmarking Initiative” of the National Association of Psychiatric 
Health Systems (NAPHS). It is the next phase of the work initially 
published in the 1999 Benchmarking Indicators Survey Report. The 
1999 report documented which of a set of performance measures 
(selected for their potential value through a consensus process) are 
currently in widespread use among behavioral healthcare providers 
offering services along a continuum of care—including inpatient, 
residential, partial hospitalization, outpatient, and behavioral group 
practice. 
This report describes the results of a pilot test of selected 
performance measures conducted in 2000 among a subset of NAPHS 
members. The purpose of the pilot test was to determine whether 
facilities were able to provide data relative to the indicators, if the 
operational definitions used in the measures were congruent with the 
definitions used in the facilities, and if the indicators reported could 
be used by the entire field.
BACKGROUND
The NAPHS Benchmarking Committee began its work late in 1997. 
The committee was convened during a time of significant national 
attention to quality and access in health care yet in an environment of
seriously shrinking resources for behavioral health care. The 
committee was guided by the following values: 
Values Statement. We believe that:
 behavioral health care has demonstrable value – in both human 
and economic terms – for individuals, families, and communities 
 behavioral health care is a human services profession in which 
the needs of the individual patient must be paramount
 behavioral healthcare provider organizations have the expertise,
experience, and services to improve the lives of individuals and 
families with behavioral health disorders
 professionalism demands that we continually improve what we 
do 
 behavioral healthcare providers have the responsibility to sp