Making A Medical Decision Can Be Tough
With so many options out there, many of us are left feeling clueless and afraid we’re making the wrong choice. Care can vary from hospital to hospital. HealthCare 21’s Consumer Guide on Health helps consumers locate safe, quality healthcare.
Why Publish Quality Data?
Coalitions have an important role to play in quality initiatives. Coalitions:
- Educate employers and consumers on the meaning and usefulness of quality data
- Collect and report information that local stakeholders need
- Improve the healthcare in the community by raising specific quality concerns
HC21 began reporting comparative hospital quality data in 1998. In 2001, HC21 was named the Leapfrog Regional Rollout Leader and released its first public consumer guide on health.
Measuring Performance
The Leapfrog Group provides information on healthcare quality. Hospitals voluntarily submit information to the Leapfrog Group. HC21 was the first to publish Leapfrog Group measures on:
- Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Physician Staffing
- Evidence-based Hospital Referrals
- Later, a Safe Practices measure was included
- First Spanish version of Leapfrog results
Joint Commission’s core measures were added over time
on heart failure care, heart attack care and pneumonia care.
The Smart Consumer
The Guide delivers educational content to assist the consumer in taking charge of their health and making informed healthcare decisions.
Guides to Date:
Patient Safety and Preventing Medical Errors – 2001
A Closer Look at Leapfrog Measures to Reduce Preventable Mistakes – 2002
Medication Safety and Emergency Care – 2003
Heart Health – 2004
Spotlight on Safe Practices – 2005
Good Healthcare Is In Your Hands – 2006
Discovering the Health Detective In You; The Smart Consumers Guide to Building Better Health in Tennessee–2007
If you are interested in this program please contact:
Allison DiGennaro, Assistant Director of Educational Services
865.292.3540
adigennaro@hc21.org
