Patients Get More Hospital Data

Despite rising pressure to offer consumers “report cards” to help them make informed health care choices, most hospitals remain tentative to report any statistics that might make them look bad, or increase their liability, such as high mortality rates for certain procedures, or recurring complications from surgeries. Current evaluations provided by hospitals often offer limited statistics on quality care and give little or no price comparisons.

However, a small but growing number of hospitals and health care groups are offering up more frank disclosure of information regarding a variety of statistics. While disclosure is easiest for hospitals with sparkling records, all hospitals could benefit from putting out comparative data, mainly to strengthen the waning sense of trust between patients and their providers.