Background: Measuring and improving the quality of treatment for patients with substance use disorders are enduring challenges.
Methods: This article describes how the Veterans Affairs health care system is using incentivized performance measures to promote more effective delivery of interventions for nicotine, illegal drug, and alcohol disorders.
Results: The monitoring and incentive system has increased the delivery of evidence-based services, including screening for alcohol use disorders.
Conclusions: Further work remains to be done to strengthen the connection between process-based measures and longer-term patient outcomes.