September 24, 2007

Brought to you by Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Health Policy

Volume II, Number 35

Hospital Comparison Websites – Are They Valuable?

Patients undergoing surgery are increasingly using the internet to compare the quality of care
provided at hospitals. However, a review of available hospital comparison websites shows sub-
optimal measures of quality and inconsistent results. This conclusion was reached by UCLA
researchers, who conducted a study comparing surgical quality on six national hospital
comparison websites. One governmental (Hospital Compare), two non-profit (Quality Check ,
Hospital Quality and Safety Survey) and three proprietary sites rated hospitals based on
accessibility, data/statistical transparency, appropriateness and timeliness. Government and
non-profit sites were most accessible and demonstrated the most data transparency. The
proprietary web sites were best for appropriateness of care, comparing multiple surgical
procedures using a combination of process, structure and outcomes measures. The authors’
suggest that the reason for sub-optimal quality measures and inconsistency is incomplete data
and encourage surgeon involvement to overcome these barriers. (Arch Surg, 2007)
Healthcare Spending Dependent on Geography
People who live in the New England and Mideast regions of the U.S. spend significantly more
on health care than those who live elsewhere in the nation. The states that spend the least on
healthcare were Utah, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and Nevada. Per capita spending in Utah
was 59 percent of that in Massachusetts. According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, the reasons for the differences included age and income, concentration of doctors in
the state, the extent of private health insurance coverage, and the mix of services used by state
residents. (Health Affairs, NY Times, 9/18/07)
State Commission Meets in Harrisburg to Discuss Disease Management
The Governor’s Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement, and Cost Reduction Commission
is expected to focus first on diabetes, as well as other chronic conditions, including depression,
asthma and heart disease. The 43-member panel includes officials from leading health
insurers, hospitals, unions, and six ex-officio members who lead state agencies. The
Commission is expected to deliver a plan by December 31, recommending changes needed to
implement a model for improving chronic care statewide. Only a fraction of the people who
need flu shots the most are getting them including just one in 5 babies and toddlers, say health
officials. Flu kills about 36,000 Americans a year, and leads to about 20,000 hospitalizations.
According to Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “we
need to rethink the influenza vaccination season and encourage vaccination throughout the fall
and winter”. CDC data from 2005-2006 indicates that 69% of people 64 years and older got
vaccinated, while just 30% of younger adults who are at high risk because of underlying
diseases received the vaccine. By 2010, the government wants the numbers increased to 90
percent of senior citizens and 60 percent of younger adults who are at high risk. (PND, 9/17/07,
Associated Press, 9/19/07)

Any questions regarding this newsletter can be directed

to Valerie Pracilio at valerie.pracilio@jefferson.edu or
Bettina Berman bettina.berman@jefferson.edu.