Leapfrog: Most hospitals don't meet cost-effectiveness, quality standards

A new survey by The Leapfrog Group has concluded that few hospitals are currently meeting the group's cost-effectiveness and quality standards.

Among hospitals recently surveyed by the organization, only 24 percent met Leapfrog's efficiency standards for heart bypass surgery, 21 percent for heart angioplasty, and a mere 14 percent for heart attack and pneumonia.

Meanwhile, many hospitals face safety issues that could be affecting both their care and their bottom line. For example, only 26 percent of reporting hospitals are meeting Leapfrog standards for treating heart attacks.

More positive results, however, included that 31 percent of hospitals meet Leapfrog's ICU staffing standard, up from 10 percent in 2002. Also, 60 percent of hospitals have agreed to implement Leapfrog's "Never Events" policy when a serious reportable event occurs in their facility, the survey concluded.

To learn more about the study:
- read this Healthcare Finance News piece

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