Newsroom & Reports
New Analysis Paper Considers Development of Standardized Metric for Sepsis Readmission
Despite being a leading cause of hospital mortality, sepsis is excluded from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) targeted readmission metrics — an omission that raises critical concerns given sepsis’ profound impact on health care outcomes.
Hospitals Must Ensure Safety — For Patients and Visitors Alike
Safety in hospitals is often centered on patients — but it is equally important to consider the risks faced by others, like visitors. To identify and correct blind spots, it is critical that hospitals report all injuries that occur on site, even those that do not involve patients.
When Quality Meets Safety: Decoding a Year of Hospital Signals in California
HQI’s Signal Detection Program produces quarterly reports on unusual shifts in diagnostic and patient safety events, providing a statewide snapshot of hospital quality and safety trends. In 2024, after analyzing varying sets of data — one rooted in practice breakdowns, the other in diagnostic data — HQI staff identified several persistent challenges for hospitals:
HQI Analysis Finds 10% Spike in Emergency Treatment for Gout
According to new research from HQI, the number of gout cases treated in California emergency departments increased in 2023, particularly among men aged 60-74. Gout — arthritis from high uric acid, causing joint pain and swelling — is often triggered by red meat, seafood; treatment involves diet changes and medication.
Prostate Cancer Discharges Hit Six-Year High
Following significant disruption in patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic, prostate cancer discharges have rebounded to the highest level in nearly a decade. After a drop of 7% in 2020, discharges bounced back in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, however, discharges increased 11% above the previous average (excluding 2020).
HQIP Updates Incorporate 2023 Inpatient, ED, and Ambulatory Surgery Data
Recent updates to the Hospital Quality Improvement Platform (HQIP) have made it even more useful for member hospitals. HQIP now includes:
Uncovering the True Impact of ‘No Harm’ in Patient Safety Events
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CMS Patient Safety Structural Measure Reporting Begins This Year — HQI Can Help
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Analysis Paper: How Methodological Choices Affect California’s 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates
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