Infection control data as presented on the MyHospitals website should not be used to rank hospitals
Updated indicators of safety and quality for the 2011–12 financial year were released earlier this year by the National Health Performance Authority (NHPA) on the MyHospitals website (http://www.myhospitals.gov.au). These detail the reports received by the NHPA on a single outcome measure, Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB), and a process measure, compliance with hand hygiene. The universal reaction in the media was to rank hospitals, implying that low hand hygiene and high bacteraemia incidence reflect poor quality of care.1 Although we support the open publication of this information, we caution against overinterpretation of the results.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Dunlevy S, Gothe-Snape J. National Health Performance Authority reveals Australia’s worst hospitals for superbug Golden Staph infections. News.com.au 2013; 22 May. http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/national-health-performance-authority-reveals-australias-worst-hospitals-for-superbug-golden-staph-infections/story-fneuzlbd-1226648738879 (accessed May 2013).
- 2. Spiegelhalter DJ. Funnel plots for comparing institutional performance. Stat Med 2005; 24: 1185-1202.
- 3. National Health Performance Authority. Hospital performance: healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in 2011–12, technical supplement. Sydney: NHPA, 2013. http://www.myhospitals.gov.au/publications/sab/latest/technical-supplement (accessed Nov 2013).
- 4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian hospital statistics 2011–12: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in Australian public hospitals. Canberra: AIHW, 2013. (AIHW Cat. No. HSE 129.) http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129542613 (accessed Nov 2013).
- 5. Francis R, Chair. Independent inquiry into care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust January 2005 – March 2009. London: The Stationery Office, 2010.
- 6. Dr Foster Intelligence. Understanding HSMRs: a toolkit on hospital standardised mortality ratios. London: Dr Foster Intelligence, 2011. http://drfosterintelligence.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/HSMR-Toolkit-Version-6-October-2011.pdf (accessed Nov 2013).
No relevant disclosures.