CMS to Post More Online Data on Hospitals

CMS in June will post online additional data about the performance of hospitals in the treatment of heart attack and heart failure patients. CMS will post the data -- based on a statistical analysis of the 30-day death rates of heart attack and heart failure patients from July 1, 2005, through June, 30, 2006 -- on the Hospital Compare Web site. According to CMS, the Web site will not include the 30-day death rates of heart attack and heart failure patients at individual hospitals but will report on whether the facilities performed more effectively, less effectively or at the same level as the national average. The 30-day death rates of heart attack and heart failure patients offer "a more reliable index of a hospital's performance than inpatient deaths and don't reward hospitals that transfer or discharge patients before death," according to reports. The Web site currently provides data on the performance of hospitals in the treatment of heart disease and other conditions. Michael Rapp of CMS said, "The main purpose of all this is to improve quality," adding, "If I'm running a hospital and see that I fall in a category that's worse than 98% of hospitals, that's going to grab my attention. I'd look to see if we can improve." However, Gary Noskin of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said, "It clearly needs to be done, but I'm not sure 30-day mortality is the right measure," adding, "A patient could have a heart attack (and be treated successfully) and get hit by a bus after he leaves the hospital."