Background: CMS launched the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program in 2010 as part of their initiatives to incorporate healthcare quality into Medicare payment structures. Participating hospitals are assessed according to four domains: Clinical Care, Person and Community Engagement, Safety, and Efficiency and Cost Reduction. Interventions to improve patient safety such as hand hygiene, contact precautions, [...]

Background: COPD is the third leading cause of death and hospital readmissions. Inpatient care for patients with COPD exacerbations varies widely across the US which can lead to patients failing to receive recommended evaluation, treatment, education, and follow-up to reduce the likelihood of recurrent exacerbations and unnecessary acute care utilization. In an effort to innovate [...]

Background: Patients’ satisfaction has been shown to be associated with improved health outcomes and reduced health care utilization. The Center for Medicare Services (CMS) has linked patient satisfaction to financial incentives as part of the value-based purchasing program. Patient satisfaction in the inpatient setting is measured using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and [...]