Book excerpt: For years, many leading health care organizations have been using the Baldrige Award Criteria to monitor processes, evaluate performance, and guide improvement efforts. Many of these organizations have gained an invaluable insight into the Baldrige criteria through the best-selling Insights to Performance Excellence in Health Care, now updated for 2003. Written by renowned experts and specifically for healthcare organizations, this book simplifies the Baldrige criteria by offering thorough and logical explanations, while providing a clear guide to improving organizational performance. This book presents the criteria and scoring guidelines that can be used as powerful assessment instruments to drive improvement efforts. These tools will help identify organizational strengths and areas in need of improvement, as well as set priorities and design action plans. Includes a bonus CD-ROM with additional information and templates to assist in applying for the award.