Executive Summary

The purpose of the implementation plan is to provide a framework for the execution of House Bill 06-1278 in a collaborative process that includes the participation of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado hospitals, consumers and other stakeholder organizations. Key elements of the implementation plan include:

• Purpose
• Key Participants and Flow of Responsibility
• Defined Processes:
  • Measure Selection
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Release
• Planned Phase Process:
  • Phase I: Measure Selection for 2007
  • Phase II: Areas of Focus for Future Iterations
• Plan for Annual Review of Effectiveness

A list of key parties has been identified for successful implementation of the Colorado Hospital Report Card. Responsibilities have been defined for these entities and an organizational structure has been proposed for the consideration of measures and annual updates to the report card. 

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  Final approval authority of new or modified measures

• Colorado Hospital Association Board
  Endorses measure selection for presentation to CDPHE

• Hospital Report Card Implementation Committee
  Recommends measures based on defined criteria

• Performance & Quality Coalition
  Acts in an advisory capacity for selection of new measures

In addition, focus groups and consumers will be surveyed on a regular basis to test the usefulness of the hospital data and ensure that the information is applicable to the changing needs of consumers as it relates to healthcare and public health. The Communications Work Group also has a vital role in the implementation plan as this membership will facilitate the release of data to hospitals and consumers, as well as act as the point of contact for any media inquires that relate to the Colorado Hospital Report Card.

Measures for Phase I have been selected for release on November 30, 2007. These measures will be inclusive of data from 2004, 2005 and 2006. The main categories of Phase I measures include:

• AHRQ Risk-adjusted Mortality Rates
• AHRQ Volume Measures
• AHRQ Prevention Measures
• AHRQ Patient Safety Measures
• Hospital-Acquired Infection Measures
• Pediatric Inpatient Volume Measures
  

Proposed areas of focus have been identified for Phase II of the implementation plan.  Although all suggested areas may not be incorporated by the 2008 iteration, the goal of the Colorado Hospital Report Card is for it to be a balanced scorecard such that it is inclusive of a comprehensive set of measures that address various aspects of quality improvement. These proposed areas of focus for Phase II will be considered for inclusion provided that they meet the defined criteria* established by the implementation committee.

• Patient Satisfaction (e.g. HCAHPS)
• Best Practices (e.g. CMS Hospital Compare, IHI Campaign)
• Efficiency of Care

Click here to view the fact sheet for the Colorado Hospital Report Card

Colorado Hospital Report Card website

Implementation Plan of House Bill 06-1278