As reported in iHealthBeat, commencing next April, hospitals in Ontario will be required to publicly disclose quality and safety data in five areas, ranging from death rates to infection rates. Consumers will be able to access online hospitals’ patient safety records and quality data. Hospitals in Ontario that do not disclose quality and safety data will forfeit additional government funding. Currently, there is no law in Ontario compelling doctors or hospitals to publicize details of complication rates or medical errors.
The Web site (https://www.ontario.ca/page/wait-times-ontario) will also include infection rates at the hospital and the death rate for certain procedures. The site later could be expanded to include six or seven measures, and eventually, it could include data for all surgical procedures.
Read full news item: Ontario Hospitals To Disclose Quality, Safety Data Online, iHealthBeat, 4/12/07