Hospital quality performance improving

03-12-2014

Hospitals across the United States are continuing to improve their rates for complying with evidence-based care processes.

That is a key finding of The Joint Commission’s 2014 Annual Report, America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety.

The results are based on data reported by more than 3,300 Joint Commission accredited hospitals in 2013. These hospitals represent rural and urban locations, all US regions, and all sizes and types of hospitals, from small critical access hospitals to large academic medical centers.

The collective performance of these accredited hospitals on individual accountability measures has steadily improved over the past few years. The data shows improved care for pneumonia, children’s asthma, surgical care, heart failure and other common conditions.

The Joint Commission said this demonstrates the nationwide implementation of evidence-based quality improvement processes is working.

“Today we celebrate the successes that represent improvements in the quality of patient care at Joint Commission accredited hospitals across this country,” said Mark Chassin, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission.

“America’s hospitals continue to make dramatic strides toward becoming more reliable and we continue to encourage them to do so. Each year, the quality standards bar has been raised and hospitals have responded to the challenge.

“We applaud their commitment to deliver the right treatment, in the right way, at the right time for patients. We also look forward to continuing to work together to accelerate further health care improvement.”

The Joint Commission, Mark Chassin, US