Press Ganey Associates, Inc., the health care industry’s leading provider of quality improvement solutions, has
released data showing an unprecedented improvement in patient satisfaction—a result that underscores the impact of public reporting of hospital-by-hospital satisfaction scores. Press Ganey analyzed the company’s proprietary patient satisfaction data—including Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) measures—for hospitals that began reporting HCAHPS data during March 2008, and found a significant increase in patient satisfaction.
The State Legislature will return October 6 for a final three days of session. The following actions were taken last week:
The Senate passed
Senate Bill 1422, which extends continuation of a group health insurance policy for former employees and their dependents, and
Senate Bill 1453, which offers parents the option to purchase insurance coverage for dependent individuals up to the age of 30.
The Senate Labor and Industry Committee approved and sent to the Appropriations Committee
House Bill 834, which limits the use of mandatory overtime in health care facilities. An amendment passed to allow mandatory overtime when there are unexpected staff absences (when a hospital has staffed appropriately and there are call offs prior to the start of a shift) or fluctuations in admissions.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved and sent to the Senate
Senate Bill 5, which provides grants to community-based health care clinics and payments to hospitals. The committee did not act on bills dealing with preventable serious adverse events or establishment of the Center for Health Careers in the Department of Labor and Industry.
Negotiations continue on Mcare abatement, coverage for the uninsured, and the future of PHC4.
Governor Rendell has
nominated Everette James to serve as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. James, current senior advisor to the Governor on public health, insurance, and pension matters, will be responsible for promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing injury and disease, and assuring the safe delivery of quality health care for all Pennsylvanians.
