Are university hospitals believing their press releases too much? (US)

Donna Cusano

If you are like most Americans, you have assumed that university (teaching) hospitals offer superior quality healthcare generally across the board.  The 2010 CareChex University Hospital Quality study, using CMS and HQA (Hospital Quality Alliance) hospital compare database and other data, debunks that assumption.  These hospitals only lead more frequently in the top 10% of cancer care and overall medical care–less frequently in cardiac, orthopedic and general surgery, neurological care and other specialized areas where you would believe university hospitals would excel.  Only 17 of the 118 surveyed achieved in the top 10% for overall quality of care in 3 or more categories.  In other words, they could be trying harder.  eHealth, anyone?  CareChex study by The Delta Group.