Quality Measures
The hospital quality measures on this website show recommended care for some of the most common and costly conditions that hospitals treat. Research has shown that these treatments provide the best results for most adults with those conditions and are an important part of the patients' overall care.
Hospitals, doctors, scientists, and other health care professionals agree that these quality measures give a good snapshot of how well hospitals provide these specific types of care. Hospitals should try to give all of their patients the recommended care when it is appropriate. The goal for each measure is 100 percent.
A hospital’s quality is more than just its scores on these measures. Hospitals provide care for other illnesses and conditions for which measures are still under development. A hospital should be able to tell you what steps it is taking to improve its care. The information you will find on this website is intended to help you start a conversation with your physician or hospital about how you can best get the care you need.
Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
Antibiotics within 6 hours
Why is this important?
Antibiotics are used to treat adults with pneumonia caused by bacteria. Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and reduce the possibility of complications. This information shows the percent of patients who were given their first dose of antibiotics within 6 hours of arrival at the hospital. Patients who get pneumonia during their stay at the hospital are not counted in this measure.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about pneumonia care, click here.
Blood Cultures Prior to Antibiotics
Why is this Important?
Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture is a test that lets the health care provider know which bacteria may have caused your pneumonia, and which antibiotic should be prescribed. It is best to do the blood culture within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital and before antibiotics are started. It is also important to start antibiotics as soon as possible. A blood culture lets your health care provider know how to best treat you and if any precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of your illness.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about pneumonia care, click here.
Appropriate Initial Antibiotics
Why is this important?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, hospitals will treat the infection with antibiotics. Different bacteria are treated with different antibiotics.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about pneumonia care, click here.
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Why is this important?
The pneumococcal vaccine may help you prevent, or lower the risk of complications of pneumonia caused by bacteria. It may also help you prevent future infections.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about pneumonia care, click here.
Influenza Vaccination
Why is this important?
Pneumonia patients age 50 years and older, hospitalized during October, November, December, January, or February who were screened for influenza vaccine status and were vaccinated prior to discharge, if indicated.
For more information about pneumonia care, click here.
Smoking Cessation Counseling
Why is this important?
Smoking damages your lungs and can make it hard to breath. Smoking increases your chances of getting pneumonia or other chronic lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. Smoking is also linked to lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and can cause premature death. It is important for you to get information to help you quit smoking before leave the hospital. Quitting may reduce your chance of getting pneumonia again.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about pneumonia care, click here.
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Be careful when drawing conclusions from this information.
- Small numbers of patients may distort reported performance.
- Patients must meet specific national medical criteria to be in this report.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your treatment.
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