The QASC appoints work groups to carry out assignments or projects with specific deliverables and milestones that support the goals of the QASC, and three work groups are currently focusing on a wide array of issues.

Work groups are formed and dissolved upon the recommendation of the QASC chairpersons and approved by the QASC. Generally, work groups consist of a chairperson or co-chairpersons and 12-15 subject-matter experts representing a wide array of stakeholders. QASC staff supports each of the work groups, helping chairpersons in identifying individuals to serve on the work groups, and directly supporting the efforts of each work group.

Episodes of Care Work Group 
Co-Chairs: Charles Cutler, Independent Consultant and Gregg Meyer, Partners Healthcare 

Focus: Developing a comprehensive approach to efficiency that includes examination of the overall system, group and individual physician. In order to get at the issue of efficiency, episodes of care are being evaluated. This work group is developing a plan to evaluate episodes of care and efficiency of services as well as primary responsibilities for the care provided i.e., system, physician, or jointly between physician and system.

Measure Implementation Work Group
Co-Chairs: Lew Sandy, United Health Care and Paul Tang, Palo Alto Medical Foundation 

Focus: Providing strategic guidance on methods of data aggregation, best practices from the public and private sector, and selecting measures in ways that support the overall QASC vision of advancing a high-quality, affordable, patient-centered health care system.

National-Regional Implementation Work Group
Co-Chairs: Jim Chase, Minnesota Community Measurement and Shannon Robshaw, Louisiana Health Care Quality

Focus: Establishing effective communication channels between national and regional organizations. The work group will develop a resource guide for new and developing regional collaboratives, as well as make recommendations on effective ways of implementing national practices at the regional level.