Report: Many Hospitals’ Mortality Rates Surpass the State Average
Nearly one-third of hospitals in California had higher inpatient mortality rates for various procedures and health conditions than the statewide average, according to a report from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Details of Report
For the report, researchers used 12 measures to assess more than 300 hospitals in 2010 and 2011. The measures related to:
- Brain surgery;
- Gastro-intestinal hemorrhage;
- Heart attack;
- Heart failure;
- Hip fracture;
- Non-surgical treatment of coronary artery disease;
- Pneumonia;
- Removal of all or part of the esophagus;
- Removal of all or part of the pancreas;
- Repairs of abdominal aortic aneurisms;
- Stroke; and
- Surgery on the carotid artery in the neck.
Main Findings
The OSHPD report found that for at least one of the 12 measures:
- 95 hospitals had higher mortality rates than the state average; and
- 65 hospitals had lower mortality rates than the state average.
At the remaining 140-plus hospitals, mortality rates for the procedures and health conditions were not significantly different from the statewide average.
Comments on Findings
Robert David, director of OSHPD, said the report is part of a larger state effort to make health care more accountable and transparent.
In a statement, he said, "We encourage hospitals to review their reports closely for any opportunities to improve the care they provide, and we hope consumers will discuss this information with their physicians and families when considering treatment options" (Zimmerman, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 6/10). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.