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Online Consumer Information In PennsylvaniaI was heartened to read Michael Rothberg and colleagues’ paper on "Choosing the Best Hospital" (Nov/Dec 08). The authors point to several key issues impeding greater public acceptance and understanding of hospital quality-reporting Web sites, correctly stating that "information must be accessible, interpretable, and consistent" and that hospitals must work with rating agencies and others to develop consensus on what quality data are most relevant and actionable for patients. Over the past two years, the Pennsylvania Health Care Quality Alliance (PHCQA) has pursued this strategy and focused on developing a uniform and consistent approach to hospital quality measurement. Its Web site, http://www.pahealthcarequality.org, is the first such site in Pennsylvania that compiles hospital quality data from a variety of sources and allows consumers to search and compare quality data (process and outcome measures) on acute care hospitals in the state. It includes representation from Pennsylvania’s four Blues insurers, its hospital association, its medical society, and representatives from state and federal governments. Much of its work has been spent on developing consensus on what quality measures are most indicative of overall quality and meaningful for patients, as well as how those data can best be displayed for interpretation by consumers. We recently surveyed more than 900 Pennsylvanians to gain insight into consumers’ awareness and attitudes toward hospital quality-reporting Web sites. The results indicate that although most consumers continue to cite physician recommendation as the most influential and trustworthy source of information, about a third reported visiting a quality-reporting Web site and using its data to make a hospital selection decision. Although hospital quality reporting is still in its relative infancy, the PHCQA and similar groups in other states are working hard to establish greater consistency and clarity in reporting data on quality.
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