Knowledge Base Article

Consumers are increasingly using the internet to direct where they seek health care services. Therefore, it is more important than ever for healthcare providers to be aware of what data is available to the public. 

This past Friday, August 5th, CMS issued a press release announcing a “new tool” and “enhanced initiatives” that will help “empower consumers to make informed choices about their health care, and to help improve the quality of care in America’s hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, and other health care settings.” The new tool and enhanced initiatives include:

• A Quality Care Finder providing consumers a single online site to all of Medicare’s Compare tools. Below is a “snap shot” of this site that can be accessed at www.Medicare.gov/QualityCareFinder;

• The Hospital Compare site has been updated and now includes:

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3. New Outpatient outcomes for surgical infections and treatment for patients with suspected hear attacks;
4. Updated data for the Patient Experience, 30 Day Mortality Measures and 30 Day Readmission rates for inpatients admitted with heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia; and

Enhancements to the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program.

·         The Hospital Compare  site has been updated and now includes:

o   New Outpatient outcomes for surgical infections and treatment for patients with suspected hear attacks;

o   Updated data for the Patient Experience, 30 Day Mortality Measures and 30 Day Readmission rates for inpatients admitted with heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia; and

Enhancements to the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program.