RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role of national health registries in three European countries in order to improve patient care. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The methodology used was a literature review of databases in Sweden, the UK and Portugal, and a search on Medline and Pubmed as well. In addition case studies from the three countries are included. FINDINGS: In Sweden registries encompassing cardiac intensive care, hip-fractures and stroke are the most developed. In the UK, the collection of information on healthcare performance, both specific to particular specialties and general hospital performance, is widespread. There are some national and regional registries in Portugal, but the most developed areas are the Cardiovascular and the Oncology areas. The collection of information on health quality/performance indicators, based on administrative and clinical data is an important tool for quality improvement. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper showed differences and similarities between the three countries with a common aim; to improve quality of care, delivered on equal terms for the whole populations, and in an effective and efficient way and will be useful to those in the field of patient care.