Are consumers aware of hospital report cards? If so, do the report cards influence their healthcare decisions?

With the public reporting of clinical quality hospital data, the upcoming publication of patient satisfaction data, and the ease of finding that information on the Internet, it is important to understand consumers' awareness and utilization of publicly reported ratings.

In 2005/06, NRC Healthcare Market Guide respondents were asked about their awareness and utilization of hospital report cards.

Nationally, 23.3% of respondents indicated an awareness of hospital report cards, with percentages ranging from the 36.4% in Akron, OH to 13.2% in Manchester-Nashua, NH. Of that 23.3%, 60.9% indicated that report cards have a major influence on their decision to use a hospital, 33.3% of those said report cards have a minor influence, and 5.9% responded that report cards have no influence.

Did you know?  Hospital reporting got its start in London during the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale urged several hospitals to publish mortality statistics.