Provides that any compilation of comparative hospital data shall include a statement that it is not the official state hospital report card

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S5333

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to hospital report cards

Purpose

To clarify that some hospital quality report cards that are produced are not the official New York State report card.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends section 2995-b of the public health law to provide that any other entity, excluding government and accrediting organizations, that produce comparative hospital data shall include on any report thereof the following statement: "This report is not the New York State Official Hospital Comparative Report Card."

Section 2 provides for an immediate effective date.

Justification

Hospitals participate in a variety of quality measurements and reporting initiatives designed to develop information to improve care and consumer decision making. Over time, the number of publicly-released reporting initiatives has proliferated along with an escalating commitment of hospital resources, with no coordination among efforts. Unfortunately, this often has resulted in conflicting and sometimes erroneous information that is confusing for consumers.

The numerous hospital quality report cards use inconsistent quality data and methodologies often yielding dramatically different results, which hinders rather than assists in consumer decision making. Moreover, providers are burdened with trying to assess each report card's methodology to determine whether it is has merit. To provide the greatest value to both the public and providers, reports that are not the official New York State report should be labeled as such in order to minimize confusion.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

Immediately