Progress Reports
U.S. hospitals improve quality and efficiency
Results of this Commonwealth Fund report indicate significant improvements across hospitals in reducing mortality and increasing efficiency over 2001–2005, with mixed results in complication and morbidity rates. Reduced mortality is likely due to improvements in care, such as better diagnostic techniques and earlier interventions, as well as more conscientious record "coding" and changing discharge practices. Consistent reductions in length of stay underscore the financial pressures on hospitals, perhaps combined with improved ability to stabilize, treat and discharge patients. The characteristics of the most-improving hospitals indicate that quality improvement is immanently attainable, occurring at least as much among small, non-teaching institutions as among their larger, more prominent counterparts. The report is based on an analysis of Medicare data, all-payer hospital data and hospital system data.
(Source: Commonwealth Fund Report, “ Hospital Performance Improvement: Trends in Quality and Efficiency – A Quantitative Analysis of Performance Improvement in U.S. Hospitals,” April 2007.)
Dynamics of hospital performance point to culture of quality
This Commonwealth Fund report focuses on the dynamics of hospital performance: how hospitals achieve and sustain improvements over time. Case studies of four hospitals that made substantial improvements reveal a pattern: A trigger, such as a crisis or new leader, serves as a "wake-up call" that prompts the hospital to make organizational and structural changes such as multidisciplinary teams, quality-related committees and technology investments. This, in turn, facilitates a systematic problem-identification and problem-solving process, resulting in new treatment protocols and practices – and improved outcomes. Success strengthens the commitment to quality improvement and turns a pattern into an ongoing cycle. The entire process reflects the establishment, growth and reinforcement of a culture of quality. Report is based on interviews with officials at facilities that posted steady performance improvement.
(Source: Commonwealth Fund Report, “ Hospital Quality Improvement: Strategies and Lessons from U.S. Hospitals,” April 2007.)
