Quality and Safety

A new initiative from the California HealthCare Foundation will focus on reducing preventable patient readmissions in 20 hospitals across the state.

St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa., has leveraged its participation in three different quality initiatives to improve the quality of healthcare delivery.

A study published in the May 2010 online issue of Health Affairs finds that large multi-specialty medical groups provide higher quality care at a lower cost compared with physicians in small group practices.

Premier healthcare alliance, which encompasses 2,300 not-for profit hospitals and health systems and more than 63,000 other healthcare organizations, addressed healthcare reform in a letter to Congressional leadership Jan. 12.

Hospitals participating in the Premier healthcare alliance's QUEST: High Performing Hospitals national collaborative have saved an estimated 8,043 lives and $577 million in one year, according to an analysis from Premier.

For the first time, Consumer Reports will provide patient satisfaction ratings for more than 3,400 hospitals across the United States.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday it has posted new ratings on 4,000 hospitals on its "Hospital Compare" website, including new mortality and readmission data.