The preview period to review the updated 30-day hospital mortality measures on CMS’ Hospital Compare Web site is now open and will run through May 13. Hospitals are strongly encouraged to review the data and become familiar with the reports before they become public in July 2008.

The new data represents hospital discharges from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, and includes reports on mortality for patients with AMI (heart attack), heart failure and pneumonia with the ability to focus on the mortality measure rates, interval estimates and number of cases. Plans for this reporting cycle do not include readmission rates.

The Hospital Compare Web site provides information on 26 quality measures, and beginning in July, the site will include additional quality and price information. Data can be viewed at QualityNet.org.

The ACC is willing and ready to help hospitals respond to the measures by leading efforts to improve patient care and ensure that measurement is fair and valid. For more information on ACC resources, contact Tilithia McBride at tmcbride@acc.org.