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1. Why should I use the Decision Assistant? By using the Decision Assistant, you are able to preview the type of information that will be included in your UCHC Hospital Comparison Reports prior to purchasing it. You will be able to make sure that you receive the maximum amount of information available from our database. This process also allows you to participate in the educational aspect of our product offerings. [return to top] What will the Decision Assistant tell me? When you use the Decision Assistant, you can highlight the area of the body most closely related to the condition or procedure of concern to learn more about quality measures related to that part of the body. An example might be hysterectomy. You would highlight the female reproductive system, and all categories of information available for this procedure will be listed in a general tabulated format for your review. You will also be able to gain more in-depth information by clicking on a particular quality measure such as IQI or PSI, and receive a full definition and in many cases an illustration, which will assist you in your research process. [return to top] How do I use the Decision Assistant? Click on the part of the Decision Assistant's body (male or female) that relates to your procedure, condition, or area of concern. This will open a more detailed view, listing the type of information available to help you in selecting a hospital for this procedure or condition. You will also be able to use the "Find Specialists" feature of our product for information on physicians who specialize in areas important to you. Your search for physicians and hospitals will be based on this information. [return to top] What are "quality measures"? UCHC uses two types of quality measures: Inpatient Quality Indicators (IQIs) and Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs). IQI's (Inpatient Quality Indicators) are defined by specific types of procedures and conditions within the hospital and include volumes, post procedural mortality rates, in-hospital mortality rates as well as utilization rates for various procedures and conditions. The (IQI) measures have been reviewed thoroughly by AHRQ and are well documented. Providing this information with other indicators in a comparative format with proper risk adjustment provides a very reasonable look at quality within the hospital for procedures and conditions such as PCTA, CABG, CHF, AAA, Phuemonia and others. PSI's (Patient Safety Indicators) are measures which have also been reviewed thoroughly by AHRQ and screen for adverse events that patients experience as a result of exposure to the health care system. These events are likely amenable to prevention by changes at the system or provider level. These measures look at conditions such as ulcers, foreign body left during a procedure and postoperative sepsis rates to name a few. These measures do not always relate to your specific condition or procedure, however, when used in a general sense with other measures and information provide a reasonable view of the quality from one institution to another. [return to top] What are IQIs? "IQI" stands for Inpatient Quality Indicator. IQIs reflect the quality of care given in hospitals. Inpatient Quality Indicators include four distinct types of measures.
[return to top] What are PSIs? "PSI" stands for Patient Safety Indicator. PSIs are measures that take into account adverse events that patients experience as a result of exposure to the healthcare system. Events that are considered in PSIs are those that are probably preventable through changes at the system or provider level, as opposed to complications that are unavoidable risks of the procedure. It is well established that healthcare organizations can reduce complications and adverse events by improving the environment for safety. Implementing technical changes, such as electronic medical record systems, improving staff awareness of patient safety risks, and having a mechanism to measure these indicators allows for an on-going means of assessment and improvement. [return to top] Why don't I see my condition or procedure here? There are thousands of procedures performed in U.S. hospitals. Because it is not possible for UCHC to compile data on each type of procedure, certain "quality measures" are used to identify quality issues in related areas. UCompareHealthCare has mapped many possible procedures you might be looking for to our list of quality measures to help you understand the quality of care you might expect. It is not possible to provide quality measures for every particular condition or procedure—there are thousands of different procedures performed in U.S. hospitals. However, we have created a menu of selected information based on areas of the body. This menu is rooted primarily in the Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs). All possible principal diagnoses and procedures are divided into 25 categories—MDCs—which are grouped primarily by organ systems. UCompareHealthCare has created this tool to help you select the quality measures most relevant to your procedure, condition or body system of interest. Along with additional categories, giving consideration to the frequency of the condition or procedure and availability of data for proper analysis, the "Decision Assistant" will display a list of the type of information that is available to you. [return to top] What procedures are included in IQIs and PSIs? IQIs and PSIs are two types of information you should be familiar with to help you make informed healthcare comparisons. Both these groupings of quality measures were developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which is administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. For further explanation, see "Know your PSIs and IQIs". In addition, UCHC has included 22 common conditions or procedures which have not been reviewed by AHRQ. We report volumes, length of stay, mortality rates, and costs versus national averages for these specific conditions and procedures. They are also closely mapped to the major diagnostic categories (MDCs). For example: If you are seeking information on kidney transplants, there are no specific quality measures which we could provide for that procedure. Instead you may look at Patient Safety Indicators or other similar or related procedures and conditions for the hospitals you are comparing. Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) are measures that take into account adverse events that patients experience as a result of exposure to the healthcare system. Events that are considered in PSIs are those that are probably preventable through changes at the system or provider level, as opposed to complications that are unavoidable risks of the procedure. You may also wish to compare PSIs for two or more institutions. We always describe exactly what kind of information will be included in your Comparison Report before you confirm a purchase. [return to top] |