title: Risk-adjusted quality outcome measures: indexes for benchmarking rates of mortality, complications, and readmissions.
abstract: This article describes a risk-adjusted approach for profiling hospitals and physicians on quality outcomes using readily available administrative data. By comparing risk-adjusted rates of mortality, complications, and readmissions to rates for peers, national norms, and benchmarks, this approach enables purchasers and providers to compare the performance of providers in terms of both favorable and adverse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Delta Group, Inc., Greenville, SC, USA.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: DesHarnais
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Forthman
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Homa-Lowry
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Wooster
mesh_terms: D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006761:Hospitals / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology