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New Study Finds Consumers Are Using Websites to Compare Hospitals
Delmarva Foundation and the Joint Commission Found Improved Public Reporting Improved Care

Easton, Maryland, August 18, 2005 - Delmarva Foundation, a national not-for-profit healthcare organization dedicated to improving quality in over 30 states, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations announced today the results of a one year study that analyzed the effectiveness and constitution of more than 50 publicly available and subscription based online hospital performance websites. The study prepared as a part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Three State Pilot project, found an increase in the volume of consumers utilizing online resources in making their healthcare decisions and also found providers make quality improvement decisions based on those measures highlighted in online resources.

“Since 1988 when the first website with publicly reported data went live, there has been substantial and steady growth in the number of new hospital performance websites,” stated Maulik S. Joshi, president and CEO, Delmarva Foundation. “The growing accessibility of information will help consumers to better participate in their own care.”

The study found that 20 states have at least one hospital performance website sponsored by non-profit organizations or government agencies containing tables, evaluative symbols and bar graphs to demonstrate comparisons of providers in geographically connected regions.

“This report should serve as the definitive resource for anyone interested in public reporting,” said Scott Williams, Psy D, Director, Center for Public Policy Research, Joint Commission Division of Research. “Policy-makers, consumer and employer organizations, hospitals and hospital associations will find this information valuable as they consider making more information about hospitals available to the public.”

The study also found that most sites offered lists of frequently asked questions and a consumer checklist. Almost 71 percent of the sites suggest that users should talk with their doctors about hospital performance. “The growing availability of information will allow consumers to better participate in their own care,” said Joyce Dubow, Associate Director, Public Policy Institute for AARP. “Consumers have a right to know this kind of information to ensure more focused questions about the type of care they receive.”

Publicly reported hospital data are currently available through CMS’ Hospital Compare website, www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov , and the Joint Commission’s Quality Check website, www.qualitycheck.org . According to the study, the measures that have universal appeal for inclusion in the next round of public reporting include information about patient satisfaction with treatment and the rates of surgical infections after surgery.

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About Delmarva Foundation
Delmarva Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality in over 20 states. Since 1973, Delmarva has assisted in improving care in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, medical practices and health plans. Delmarva performs quality improvement, quality assurance, utilization review, external quality review and Program Safeguard activities. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Easton, Maryland with other offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, DC; Columbia, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, please visit Delmarva Foundation on the web at www.delmarvafoundation.org.

About the Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,200 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, the Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about the Joint Commission at www.jcaho.org.