Benchmarking Studies impact quality improvement
The AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement offers Benchmarking Studies to help you conduct effective, data-driven improvement within your organization. Know where you stand relative to your peers. Identify performance goals and interventions for quality improvement by participating in benchmarking studies.
Benchmarking Studies are open to any ambulatory health care center.
NOTE: Pre-registration for 2026 Benchmarking Studies is now open!
The annual subscription rate provides access to participation in a maximum of four Benchmarking Studies during the 2026 calendar year, two Benchmarking Studies for Segment 1 (January-June 2026), and two Benchmarking Studies for Segment 2 (July-December 2026). The annual subscription model also allows subscribing organizations to access all study reports, regardless of participation, at the end of each study cycle.
Segment 1: January 5, 2026 through June 30, 2026 Offerings
- Allergy Documentation
- Colonoscopy Practices
- Hand Hygiene
- Medication Reconciliation
All case submissions must be entered by June 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM, CT. There is no grace period.
Segment 2: July 6, 2026 through December 31, 2026 Offerings
- Allergy Documentation
- Cataract Extraction with Lens Insertion
- Hand Hygiene
- Safe Injection Practices
All case submissions must be entered by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM, CT. There is no grace period.
Annual January 5, 2026 through December 31, 2026 Offering
- Emergency Preparedness
The Emergency Preparedness study will begin on January 5, 2026, and end on December 31, 2026. This study can be selected for either segment but will run for the entire year.
Deadlines:
To participate in the four studies included in the subscription, you must register by May 15, 2026. Following May 15, you will be eligible to complete two Segment 2 studies with the subscription purchase. You will still receive reports on all studies completed during the subscription period.
- Registration for Segment 1 (Jan-Jun) Studies will close EOD May 15, 2026. Case submission entry for this study period begins January 5, 2026 and ends June 30, 2026.
- Registration for Segment 2 (Jul-Dec) Studies will close EOD on November 13, 2026. Case submissions for this study period begins July 6, 2025 and ends December 31, 2026.
Why choose our studies?
- AAAHC Quality Institute studies enable you to compare your organization to similar organizations on key performance measures – external benchmarking
- AAAHC Quality Institute studies are designed specifically for the ambulatory care environment
- AAAHC Quality Institute studies are NOT burdensome. Study tools are brief and simple to use
- Secure data collection to enter all data
- AAAHC Quality Institute reports are easy to read and include graphic displays that allow you to understand results at-a-glance
- AAAHC Quality Institute studies enable you to trend performance over time through repeat participation on the same study topic over multiple study time periods
To be included in benchmark analyses:
- For specific procedure or observation related studies (e.g., Hand Hygiene, Cataract Extraction with Lens Insertion or Safe Injection Practices), organizations must provide complete, unique (not duplicate), routine, uncomplicated information for 15 to 35 cases during the study period.
- For the studies which include chart review (i.e., Medication Reconciliation and Allergy Documentation), organizations must submit surveys on 15 to 35 unique charts, each with at least one current or new medication or at least one allergy, during the study period.
- For the Emergency Preparedness Drills study, organizations must submit information from two to four emergency drill evaluation forms during the annual study period.
Study participants may access final Benchmarking reports in 1095 Learn by clicking on the “2026 Benchmarking Study – Annual Reports” tile followed by clicking the “Resources” tab, within two to three months after each study period.
Have questions or concerns about the study process? Contact AAAHC Quality Team for answers.
Have questions or concerns about the study process? Contact AAAHC Quality Institute staff members for answers.
For AAAHC-accredited organizations the annual subscription rate is $525.
For non-AAAHC accredited organizations, the annual subscription price is $600.
Please note: All Benchmarking Studies are non-refundable.