In a California Healthline Special Report, David Carlisle — director of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development — and Robert Schott — director of medical affairs at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento — discussed a recent state report that details mortality rates for hospitals and physicians that perform coronary bypass operations.
The report brings a new level of transparency to health care in California by providing for the first time specific information on individual surgeons at California hospitals.
Carlisle and Schott also discussed:
- How mortality rates in California compare with those of other states;
- The role of risk adjustment in rating physician performance; and
- The future release of figures on bypass outcomes and maternity care (Rebillot, California Healthline, 7/24).