biostudies-literatureUnknown118(50)Geraedts M<h4>Background</h4>Quality assurance for acute in-hospital care in Germany is based on compulsory comparisons between institutions, so-called external quality assurance (EQA). The effectiveness of EQA has not yet been adequately studied. The purpose of the QUASCH project, which is supported by the Innovation Fund of the Federal Joint Committee, is to investigate the association between EQA and health care outcomes, specifically with respect to stroke.<h4>Methods</h4>The analyses were based on data from 379 825 patients insured by the AOK health insurance fund who were acutely admitted to a hospital because of stroke over the period 2007-2017. Data on 47 659 patients were derived from EQA documentation in the state of Hesse, in which stroke EQA had already been introduced in 2003; data on tDeutsches Arzteblatt international857-863https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8948340biostudies-literatureQuality Assurance Measures and Mortality After Stroke.PMC8948340Kaps MGunster CMisselwitz BDroge PBerger KGeraedts MSchneider MTimmesfeld NEbbeler DfalseQuality Assurance Measures and Mortality After Stroke.<h4>Background</h4>Quality assurance for acute in-hospital care in Germany is based on compulsory comparisons between institutions, so-called external quality assurance (EQA). The effectiveness of EQA has not yet been adequately studied. The purpose of the QUASCH project, which is supported by the Innovation Fund of the Federal Joint Committee, is to investigate the association between EQA and health care outcomes, specifically with respect to stroke.<h4>Methods</h4>The analyses were based on data from 379 825 patients insured by the AOK health insurance fund who were acutely admitted to a hospital because of stroke over the period 2007-2017. Data on 47 659 patients were derived from EQA documentation in the state of Hesse, in which stroke EQA had already been introduced in 2003; data on t2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Dec2025-05-29T19:46:39.396Z2025-04-05T20:55:13.447ZS-EPMC89483403473008410.3238/arztebl.m2021.0339