HealthGrades releases report on hospitals

Colorado-based HealthGrades released its fourth annual report on hospital quality, a document that includes a list of about 300 hospitals the company recognizes for clinical excellence. Expect local media coverage to stress the new ratings as usual. Based on government Medicare data, the report echoes a finding that most people in healthcare already are well aware of: If you're a patient, your chances of surviving your hospital stay are much higher if you stick with a hospital in the top 5 percent. 

As we noted last year, rating systems like this are becoming increasingly influential as more emphasis is placed on consumer decision making in healthcare. The more important issue may be how effectively companies like HealthGrades communicate that information to consumers.

- see the report from HealthGrades (pdf)

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