Adapting the HCUP QIs for hospital use: the experience in New York State.
BACKGROUND
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality developed the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) quality indicators (QIs) in 1994. The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS; Albany), which represents more than 500 nonprofit and public hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health care agencies, has adapted the HCUP QIs since 1997 to produce annual comparative reports for its member hospitals. Specifically designed for internal use, the reports have been well received and have drawn interest from other hospital associations and state health departments.


METHODS
The HCUP QIs were applied to the New York State hospital discharge abstract. A risk adjustment model was constructed for each complication measure. Measures of utilization and access to care were adjusted for differences in patient demographics and payer status by indirect standardization. Data are presented in graphic format. Each hospital receives its own report (in both paper copy and CD-ROM) with comparisons to statewide norms, regional averages, and peer group averages. Report prepared for hospital systems include data for each affiliated hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
When used appropriately, the HCUP QIs provide valuable information for individual hospitals to assess quality of care and target potential areas for improvement. The HCUP QIs also give hospitals a broad perspective to look beyond their own institutions and develop community-based quality improvement initiatives. Nevertheless, given the limitations that commonly exist with administrative databases and the lack of standard risk adjustment systems, the HCUP QIs are best used for internal purposes and not for public reporting.
Jiang
H J
HJ
Healthcare Association of New York State, Albany, New York, USA.
Ciccone
K
K
Urlaub
C J
CJ
Boyd
D
D
Meeks
G
G
Horton
L
L
D019985:Benchmarking; D003625:Data Collection; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D009096:Multi-Institutional Systems / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D020379:Risk Adjustment; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014600:Utilization Review