Question

Do you think, that CMS, requirement of public reporting on various hospital measures increases the transparency of hospital care, provides useful information for consumers choosing care, and assists hospitals in their quality improvement efforts?

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/HospitalQualityInits/OutcomeMeasures.html

Answer 1

CMS public reporting encourages the hospital to implement and maintain the Quality improvement program and makes the consumer look for high-quality services. Hospitals are motivated to provide improved care by the regulatory approach. This will minimize the purchaser's pressure on the consumers. It helps to analyze the strength and weakness of the hospital and to improve their care and quality.

By using these data, the consumers are comparing the care, risk adjustments, and existing outcomes. Consumers are also sharing the information of public reporting in order to discuss the choices. The organization takes effort for quality improvement and patient safety and the shaping of QI programs. This also indirectly makes positive changes in health care policies and in recruiting of the physicians.

From largest hospital to small hospital, from long-term care to short acute care, hospitals are taking effort in quality improvement. Hospital staffs are also paying attention to the quality issues. There is an increased awareness and attention of best quality practices and documentation. Thus the public reporting made spur changes in the hospital quality care and increases the transparency and awareness of information on the consumers.