CMS announced recently (4/6/07) that the Pneumonia (PN) 30-day mortality measure will be publicly reported on the CMS Hospital Compare Website in June 2008, rather than June 2007, as previously anticipated.
In November 2006, CMS and its HQA partners said they would commence reporting the risk-adjusted mortality rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF) and pneumonia “in the interest of high-quality, patient centered care and accountability” and in compliance with the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. Publicly reporting mortality measures, the two groups said, can illustrate the variation in patient outcomes across the country and create a visible incentive for hospitals to improve patient short-term survival. CMS will begin publicly reporting risk-adjusted, 30-day mortality rates for both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF) on its Hospital Compare website in June 2007.
For more information on the public reporting of risk-adjusted, 30-day mortality measures on CMS Hospital Compare Web site, visit Qualitynew.org