They’re referencing HCAPS…
From the American Medical News, via ACHE News:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, a survey that covered more than 2,500 hospitals and 3,000 patients per hospital from October 2006 to June 2007 and asked about their hospital stays. Nearly two dozen issues were covered, ranging from doctor and nurse communication to restroom cleanliness. The survey shows that 63 percent of respondents were “extremely satisfied” with the care they received, and approximately 67 percent would recommend the hospital to family and friends. Experts point out that while 79 percent of patients said their doctors listened to them and thoroughly explained things, 21 percent of respondents said physician communication was lacking. Additionally, 33 percent of patients complained about poor pain management, 40 percent noted that they were not told why they were taking certain medications and 20 percent said they did not receive written discharge instructions. Although other surveys concentrated on hotel-like amenities, Dr. Shoshanna Sofaer of the Baruch College School of Public Affairs says the HHS survey went deeper. “There’s no question on the food. . . . What people want is to be taken care of well when they go to [the] hospital, not pampered,” notes Sofaer. Hospitals participated in the survey on a voluntary basis, but participation is mandatory beginning July 2008 if they do not want Medicare inpatient reimbursements reduced by 2 percent.
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