Fig. 3

Flow diagram of core indicator prioritization and development process (*System categories: each QM was systematized by the QoC element it measured: input, process (adherence to EB practices, non-evidence-based, harmful practices), or a related outcome/impact. Input measures were further systematized by various input categories: a) Medicines, supplies and equipment, infrastructure; b) Clinical guidelines, protocols, job aides; c) Operational guidelines, protocols; d) trained human resources; e) availability of health services f) financing g) health information system; h) organization of care processes; i) oversight and management. **Importance: This criterion was used to prioritize all measurement subdomains, but, as shown in Table 1, it was framed differently under each measurement domain or subdomain. ^#Clinical content area: List of prioritized clinical content areas used to select QMs is provided in the Additional File 3)