Hospitals are falling short in implementing safety standards and quality procedures, according to the newly released 2008 Leapfrog Hospital Survey of 1,276 hospitals in 37 major U.S. metropolitan areas. Leapfrog, a nonprofit organization representing major private and public purchasers of health care, finds that only 7% of hospitals fully meet its medication error prevention standards. Efficiency standards--defined as highest quality and lowest resource use--are met by only 24% of hospitals for heart bypass surgery, 21% for heart angioplasty, and 14% for pneumonia care. In addition, 65% of hospitals do not have all recommended policies in place to prevent common hospitals-acquired infections; 75% do not fully meet standards for 13 evidence-based safety practices, ranging from hand washing to nursing staff competence; and only 26% are meeting standards for treating heart attacks.
Hospitals have, however, improved in some areas: 31% now meet the ICU staffing standard, up from just 10% in 2002, and 65% have agreed to implement Leapfrog’s “Never Events” policy when a serious reportable event occurs within their facility. “Progress on patient safety is moving too slowly,” concludes Leapfrog CEO Leah Binder. Consumers can compare local hospital safety information, including all of the measures referenced in the survey.
Download the survey results.
