Hospital Compare - A quality tool for adults, including people with Medicare
The new Hospital Compare website was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), along with the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA). The HQA is a public-private collaboration established to promote reporting on hospital quality of care. The HQA consists of organizations that represent consumers, hospitals, doctors and nurses, employers, accrediting organizations, and Federal agencies. http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/
“For the first time, consumers have the three critical elements - quality information, patient satisfaction survey information, and pricing information for specific procedures - they need to make effective decisions about the quality and value of the health care available to them through local hospitals.” The updated information is part of the public health effort to strengthen consumer choice and create incentives to motivate providers to provide better care for all Americans. For fuller coverage, see:http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/03/20080328a.html
