title: Current uses of large data sets to assess the quality of providers. Construction of risk-adjusted indexes of hospital performance.
abstract: This article examines how large data sets can be used for evaluating the effects of health policy changes and for flagging providers with potential quality problems. An example is presented, illustrating how three risk-adjusted measures of hospital performance were developed using patient discharge abstracts. Advantages and disadvantage of this approach are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DesHarnais
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D006302:Health Services Research; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D006278:Medicare / Q000592:standards; D008722:Methods; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States