AHRQ - Summary Statement on Comparative Hospital Public Reporting

"The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) applauds public reporting of hospital quality performance data and views public reporting as one important strategy to advance the quality improvement agenda in health care. Evidence shows that publicly reporting performance by specific hospitals is a key element that promotes enhanced patient care. AHRQ continues to be an active participant in such public reporting efforts as the Hospital Quality Alliance, the Ambulatory Care Quality Alliance and the National Quality Forum (NQF). In fact, AHRQ is submitting the Quality Indicators (QIs) to NQF to undergo the formal consensus process for endorsement for public reporting in the spring of 2006 ..."

read the full statement (pdf)