OBJECTIVES: The release of performance information to the public has been promoted in order to help improve the quality of care but performance measurement is scarce and faces many challenges in the design and implementation. To date, it has not been explored to what extent Latin American countries generate and release performance information and the rationale behind this. METHODS: Public performance information on quality of care in Argentina, Chile and Colombia was reviewed. More specifically it was considered (1) whether a mandate exists for collecting such information; (2) who collects the information; (3) what type of information is available; and (4) the intended purpose. RESULTS: All three countries have some form of measurement of performance as well as varying degrees of release to the public. Whereas in Colombia and Chile the main purpose of performance information is to facilitate choice among users, in Argentina the rationale for performance measurement efforts are employed for internal purposes, to guide quality assurance and quality improvement within health care organizations. There are varying degrees of accessibility to the information that is available. Contrary to Argentina, the National Superintendence of Health for both Chile and Colombia provides a single source of all the compiled information of performance measurement. It provides individual performance indicators of all health providers and a list of accredited institutions. A list of accredited institutions can be accessed directly through national accrediting bodies.  CONCLUSIONS: Centralization of results is mandatory for quality of care performance and financial status of the health organizations. Chile and Colombia exhibit best practice in this area. In Argentina there is a clear gap between the availability of a clear, comprehensive assessment of the quality of care for health in one trusted source. Appropriate policy and funding support should focus on building capacity for quality improvement and health care information infrastructure.