Study reveals benchmarking flaws of many report cards, quality rankings: medical centers with high transfer rates are at a disadvantage

HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement, August, 2003

Need More Information?

For more information, contact:

* Andrew L, Rosenberg, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Room 1G323, Box 0048, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0048. E-mail: arosen@umich.edu.

* Philip A. Newbold, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Hospital and Health System, 615 North Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601. Telephone: (574) 284-7115. E-mail: pnewbold @memorialsb.org.

* Sharon Lau, Medical Management Planning, 2049 Balmer Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Telephone: (323) 644-0056. E-mail: Sharon @mmpcorp.com.

* Robert G. Gift, MS, President, Systems Management Associates, 4410 South 176 St., Omaha, NE 68135. Telephone: (402) 894-1927. E-mail: bobgift@radiks.net.

Key Points

* Transferred patients have 38% longer ICU stays and 41% longer hospital stays.

* Many databases used for report cards are administrative, not clinical.

* Active awards are seen as more valid than passive ones.