Relationship Between Medicare’s Hospital Compare Performance Measures and Mortality Rates

Abstract

It is widely recognized that the quality of health care in the United States is uneven and often inadequate.^1,2 In the outpatient setting, quality of care varies across individuals depending on age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status.³ Overall, only half of US individuals receive recommended care.¹ In hospitals, quality of care is also variable. Compliance with hospital performance measures varies not only across US hospitals but also across regions, conditions, and performance measures.⁴