adminThe Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s (PHC4’s) 2013 Hospital Performance Report (HPR) shows that in-hospital mortality rates dropped significantly statewide between 2008 and 2013 for eight of the 16 diseases for which mortality was reported. Sepsis (blood poisoning) saw the largest mortality drop — from 18.8 percent to 12.2 percent.
Other diseases that saw a significant drop in mortality rates include aspiration pneumonia, heart attack, acute kidney failure, stroke, colorectal procedures, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney and urinary tract infections.
The report also showed a decrease in readmission rates for congestive heart failure, aspiration pneumonia, acute kidney failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney and urinary tract infections, infectious pneumonia, stroke, and abnormal heartbeat.
“The Pennsylvania Medical Society [PAMED] has been supportive of PHC4 and its efforts over the years,” said Chuck Moran, director of media relations and public affairs at PAMED. “Providing quality and providing value in health care is a key piece of the modern day health care puzzle. These types of reports are taken seriously by hospitals and physician-led health care teams.”
Andy Carter, CEO and president of the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) added that “these new findings show that Pennsylvania hospitals continue to improve the care they provide through ongoing education and the implementation of best clinical practices.”
The 2013 HPR evaluates hospitals in the commonwealth on 17 medical conditions and surgical procedures. The report contains hospital-specific information about volume of cases, mortality, readmissions, and charges for patients admitted to all general acute care hospitals and most specialty general acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania.