News: Hospital Compare could use star rating system

Ever choose a restaurant or movie based on how many “stars” it receives from those who’ve eaten there or seen the flick? For many, that type of rating system provides a quick reference analysis regarding the purported quality of the item you are about to pay for. A number of healthcare rating systems already use the star system. Now, according to the IPPS proposed rule, CMS’ Hospital Compare system may begin to use it too, according to a Kaiser Health News article.

The star system is just a possibility. In fact, CMS seeks additional ideas about how it might better display the complicated collection of hospital performance metrics it has been collecting for some time—information about facility mortality rates, infection rates, physician response rates, etc.

To read the IPPS proposed rule click here.